Former Bank of America executive alleges race and age discrimination over caregiving leave

Former executive alleges forced departure over caregiving relocation

Robert Zullo, a 55-year-old former Bank of America senior vice president, alleges in a federal court complaint that his bosses threatened his career and forced him to resign after he relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Albany, New York, to care for his mother. The complaint also alleges that Zullo faced racial and age discrimination and was treated less favorably than younger colleagues, including a Black employee who received more flexible work arrangements.

Bank of America rejected the allegations. A spokesperson said the company provides flexibility and leave accommodations for all employees, but that Zullo repeatedly failed to comply with company policy and that the bank “strongly disagree[s] with this account.” The company said it would present its position through the appropriate legal channels.

Dispute over work arrangements

According to the complaint, Zullo’s supervisor, Karen Cheney, verbally authorized him in July 2024 to work intermittently from the bank’s Albany office while caring for his mother, whose serious medical conditions affect her vision, cognition and mobility. His mother was scheduled to begin extensive outpatient treatment in September 2025.

The arrangement continued for roughly a year, the lawsuit says, without disciplinary action, while a weekly manager dashboard marked Zullo as compliant. In August 2025, Cheney contacted human resources for additional information about his attendance. A disciplinary letter followed a week later, alleging that Zullo had failed to spend three full days each week at his assigned Charlotte office and that records showed him badging into Albany and connecting remotely from residential locations.

The complaint says the reprimand came one day after Zullo sought to make Albany his assigned office so he could live with his mother.

Alleged threat to his banking career

Zullo alleges that his superior, AJ Venit, threatened during the August 2025 confrontation that he would “never work in the banking industry again.” He also alleges that Venit said he would be “gone in 30 days” and that the bank only had to complete the paperwork.

These statements are allegations in Zullo’s complaint rather than findings by a court. The reporting did not provide an independent account from Venit or Cheney.

Claimed disparity involving a younger colleague

Zullo alleges that a Black colleague in his 30s was permitted to relocate permanently from Charlotte to New Jersey to address a dependent’s needs without having to report to a bank office, and was later promoted to senior vice president. According to the complaint, that employee bypassed the formal flexible-work approval process, while Zullo was disciplined after seeking flexibility to care for his mother.

Zullo further alleges that managers had a financial incentive to favor Black employees because parts of their annual bonuses were tied to diversity targets. Those are allegations within the lawsuit; the available reporting does not establish that the employee’s treatment or any bonus decision violated company policy or anti-discrimination law.

Status of the allegations

Zullo filed a 23-page complaint in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, as stated in the reviewed reporting. The reviewed report presented no court finding on the allegations.