Indian Bank issues Strict Advisory on Leave Protocol for Staff

Indian Bank has issued a directive to ensure strict adherence to leave protocols among its officers and branch managers. The advisory highlights instances where officers have left their assigned stations without obtaining prior approval from their reporting authorities, emphasizing the need for proper authorization before availing of leave.

Also Read: Indian Bank Officer suspended for not receiving call of CM HR

Key Guidelines:

1. Station Leave Protocol:
   Officers must obtain prior sanction of leave along with explicit permission to leave their station from their reporting authority.
2. Approval for ABMs’ Leave:
   Branch Managers (BMs) are advised to sanction leave for Assistant Branch Managers (ABMs) judiciously, based on the urgency of the request. Leave exceeding one day requires prior approval from the Zonal Office.
3. Impact on Branch Operations:
   Leave approvals should ensure that the functioning of the branch remains unaffected. Deputation of officers and staff will also be strictly controlled going forward.
4. Mode of Leave Application:
   Intimating leave requests via email, SMS, or WhatsApp will no longer be considered valid. Explicit approval from the Zonal Office must be obtained for any leave.
5. Submission Requirements:
   Leave applications must be submitted to the Zonal Office Admin Department using the prescribed format, duly completed.

Branch Managers have been instructed to ensure compliance with these guidelines to maintain smooth operations across branches.

Also Read: Indian Bank Officer suspended for not receiving call of CM HR

Pros and Cons of Indian Bank’s Leave Advisory

Pros:

1. Enhanced Accountability:
   • Officers and branch managers are held accountable for their leave, reducing instances of unauthorized absences.
2. Smooth Branch Operations:
   • Ensuring prior approval and judicious leave sanctions helps maintain uninterrupted branch functionality.
3. Uniform Protocol:
   • Standardized leave application format and clear procedures create uniformity across branches.
4. Reduced Miscommunication:
   • Eliminating informal leave intimation methods (SMS, WhatsApp) ensures that only explicitly approved leaves are valid.
5. Improved Planning:
   • Prior approvals allow managers to better plan workloads and staff deputations, minimizing operational disruptions.
6. Stronger Oversight:
   • Requiring Zonal Office approval for extended leaves ensures centralized monitoring of branch staffing.

Cons:

1. Inflexibility:
   • Requiring prior approval for all leaves, even for emergencies, may delay urgent decisions and create undue stress for employees.
2. Additional Bureaucracy:
   • The need to follow formal procedures for every leave application could burden both branch staff and zonal offices.
3. Operational Bottlenecks:
   • Centralizing extended leave approval at the Zonal Office may lead to delays, especially if approvals are not promptly processed.
4. Employee Dissatisfaction:
   • Restrictive leave policies might impact employee morale and lead to feelings of being micromanaged.
5. Risk of Non-Compliance:
   • Stringent rules could result in inadvertent non-compliance, especially in smaller branches with limited staff.
6. Potential for Overload:
   • With tighter control over leave and deputation, remaining staff may face an increased workload, affecting productivity and well-being.