Complaint Review: Allstate Insurance - Zahida & Mohammad Bajwa Discrimination & Poor Business Management Skill

The problem with family owned businesses is that no justice can ever be made. Those who run it can do whatever they want within their own franchise, but aren't there enforced boundaries as to what is ethical or unethical on the work field? Is it right to cut off someone's hours and give more to their own nephew? Are they really allowed to pick up their cell phones and chat away? Who exactly qualifies these poor communication skilled managers to run a business?

I used to intern/work for a family-owned Allstate Corporation and within four months of working with the manager, I have noticed some things that made work less motivating and enjoyable; at the same time it explains why the office was empty to begin with and why he had hired me on the day of my interview. Since I was already far into the required hours I needed for my internship, it was a little too late to quit and find a new one.

One of the things I have noticed while working for this specific office is racism and discrimination. Mr. Bajwa will put up a friendly face for those who come in for an interview but once that person leaves, he demeans them in the most inappropriate way; not only is this man afraid to speak his mind--picking on people of certain cultures, he also has a lot of nerves to make racist remarks in front of his fellow assistants including myself. Apparently physical figures-- big, small, thick, or round and ethnicity matters a lot to this man. I also question the amount of customers that come in to specifically argue with him.

Another thing is that he will step out of the office in the middle of the day, but for how long, who knows? Usually many of the customers that question his whereabouts is left unanswered and are sometimes left to wait up to 20-40 minutes until he gets back; asides lunch breaks, everyone in the office is unaware of his whereabouts.

Apparently he and his sister run both Allstate Insurance offices within the Columbia Heights/Kenyon Square areas and I do not recommend either of them to anyone. Customers constantly question that their payments have raised up at unbelievable figures which also has me suspicious of them. He is also known to overwork young college students and have empty words towards his assistants. One of them was suppose to be compensated for a $600 accumulated car tickets, and a boot received at work, none of which he took responsibility for.

His sister on the other hand is different story. Since Mr. Bajwa had left for vacation, she was to cover for his office while he was gone for the month. Before an argument had sparked up between her and I, I had witnessed an argument she had started previously with a customer. Cruel, brash, and very uneducated, she had categorized my position as the "scanner person" and was unaware of my internship position. Apparently they both only hire people for the sake of their company and are inconsiderate of the feelings of the employees.

If anyone falls into applying for them, I do not recommend it unless you can tolerate racist remarks and discrimination. It is hard and sad to believe a manager can still get away with this while assistants sit and do nothing about it.

R.A.
Washington, District of Columbia
U.S.A.