Sex clubs, racial insults: Inside ANZ's New York office

ANZ Bank has again been hit with allegations of sex bar bragging and male managers telling their female colleagues they "can suck my d---" in a workplace discrimination claim brought against the bank in the US.

Former senior trader Malika Oyo is suing the Australian bank which only this year faced allegations its trading room floor in Sydney had fostered a rotten culture.

While drugs and high-end champagne are not a part of Ms Oyo's complaint, her claim reveals shocking allegations about her treatment while she was the vice-president of Corporate FX Sales at ANZ's New York office.

Ms Oyo filed action against ANZ Bank and her former manager, ANZ head of corporate sales America Ravi Nursey, earlier this year, and in recent days the matter has been referred by the judge to mediation.

Former senior trader Malika Oyo was vice-president of Corporate FX Sales at ANZ's New York office.Credit: YouTube

The experienced banker is seeking damages after she was sacked a few months after making a complaint in late 2013 about her managers to senior executives and human resources at ANZ's New York office about her alleged mistreatment.

Ms Oyo alleges she was spoken to in a sexually aggressive manner and was badgered about the number of sexual partners she had had at a team dinner in front of other employees including members of the bank's management.

Ms Oyo, one of four African-American staff working in the same department at the time, also alleges she was on several occasions called a monkey or compared to a monkey.

"Despite lauding itself for its 'inclusive and culturally diverse workforce', the reality of the workplace at ANZ painted a far darker picture," Ms Oyo says in her complaint.

ANZ's New York office has been accused of hosting a discriminatory culture.Credit: Jessica Shapiro

"Ms Oyo routinely heard the bank's male employees say outrageous and unquestionably offensive things such as a female employee 'can suck my d--k', if she challenged him," her complaint says.

In her complaint, Ms Oyo alleges that the men in the office including Mr Nursey would also "openly rate the 'racks' of women" and "brag about attending sex bars" including risque London club The Box.

"[The employee] described how he and an ANZ trader in London obtained a special table where they had two women provide sexual favours," her complaint says.

Ms Oyo alleges she was also badgered about the number of sexual partners she had had, in front of other employees, including members of the bank's management at a dinner in New York in early 2014.

After being asked to stop asking about her sexual history, the male employee allegedly "made numerous statements to her about how 'strong' he was and his ability to procreate. As he would say the word 'strong' he would thrust his fist and forearm into the air while lowering his voice an octave to growl out the word in a sexual manner."

Mr Nursey also allegedly exclaimed that a female colleague could "suck my d--k" when she complained about how he was handling a trade. Mr Nursey is also alleged to have on several occasions told Ms Oyo a work task she was expected to perform was "so easy any monkey could do it".

According to the complaint, after she raised her concerns with human resources and senior managers, Ms Oyo was ostracised, humiliated and told, "why can't you do anything f---ing right?" by Mr Nursey. Mr Nursey also "began giving the impression to the entire dealing room that Ms Oyo was incompetent", despite there being no previous issue with her performance, it is alleged.

A spokesman for ANZ said any form of racism or discrimination was completely unacceptable and would not be tolerated at ANZ. He added that the bank had comprehensive policies to prevent discrimination in the workplace including regular training for all staff.

"While Ms Oyo's claims are difficult to read, we have conducted a thorough investigation and deny the claims and will be defending the matter vigorously," the spokesman said.

"ANZ takes allegations of discrimination very seriously and employees who are found to have breached ANZ's anti-discrimination policies are disciplined which may include termination of employment," the spokesman said.

Speaking from New York, Ms Oyo's lawyer Renan F. Varghese told Fairfax Media that despite Ms Oyo being a successful employee with ANZ in New York, she "was terminated because of her refusal to accept the discrimination that she and other black and female employees faced, including being called 'monkeys' repeatedly by her direct supervisor".

"Given this country's long history of demeaning its black citizens by comparing them to gorillas and monkeys, Ms Oyo could not stay quiet in the face of this unlawful behaviour and was forced out of the bank as a result," Mr Varghese said.

"We have brought this lawsuit on Ms Oyo's behalf to ensure that both Ms Oyo and other female and black employees at ANZ Bank have their rights protected. We intend to use all of our resources to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable," Mr Varghese added.