Dear Sir,
On Thursday 9th June 2011 I was invited to the CFS building on Miller Street, Manchester to be interviewed for the position of Information Analyst in the IT department of Co-operative Financial Services. Before I continue I must say that the interviewers where fantastic and made me feel extremely welcome, it was one of the most enjoyable interviews I have had in my lifetime.
You can understand my disappointment when, on Tuesday 14th June 2011, I was contacted by the CFS to be informed that they would not be taking my application any further due to "an adverse credit rating". I was immediately taken aback by this. Whilst I have, as many people in the UK have, defaulted a few times on various payments I have always strived to keep on top of my finances. A particularly difficult task given the current economic climate.
After a few minutes i called the CFS representative who had contacted me to ask for clarification on a few things. Namely why a poor credit rating, due to defaults and NOT CCJ's or bankruptcy, would prevent me from being able to carry out the role of Internal Communications Analyst. I was informed that this was because I would be "unable to open a Staff Bank Account".
Now I hope you do not mind sir but I was hoping for clarification on a number of things that your colleague was unable to provide.
1) Why is it a requirement that all employees hold a CFS Staff Bank Account?
2) Would it be possible for a CFS Staff member to carry out their role to full effect without holding a CFS Staff Account?
3) The CFS Values clearly state that the CFS:
- We put our members and customers first in all we do
- Together we create a great place to work, grow and develop
- We are open & fair and are committed to excellent communication
- We strive relentlessly to be faster, better more successful
- We take personal and social responsibility
Would it not be right to say then that by adopting a policy that ensures over 25% of the UK population are unable to pursue a career with the CFS (1 in 4 people are currently affected by poor credit history due to defaults) then the CFS are failing somewhat to uphold their values of taking personal and social responsibility; creating a great place to work grow and develop; and being open and fair and committed to excellent communication?
4) Will the CFS be able to reimburse my travel costs, totalling £8.05p, that i incurred whilst travelling to an interview for a job that, due to CFS policy, I had no chance of getting?
I do hope you can take the time to answer these queries. I am a great admirer of the CFS and the Co-Op Group and I would have been tremendously proud to have worked for an organisation that holds the very same values that I myself am so passionate about. It is just a shame that due to policy decisions in the organisation I shall, along with 15.5 million other people within the UK, be considered unemployable by the Co-op Financial Services.
Kindest regards
Les Miserables
