Indian Overseas Bank issues Letter – No Staff can be Granted Leave without approval from RO
| ➡️ Get instant news updates on Whatsapp. Click here to join our Whatsapp Group. |
Again, a letter/email from a public sector bank is going viral on social media. This time it’s Indian Overseas Bank (IOB). The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) Regional Office in Pune has issued strict instructions to all branches regarding leave discipline.
The email/letter stated – Many branch heads have been taking leave or leaving station without the required permission from the Competent Authority. It has also been noticed that some branch heads are allowing their staff members to be absent from duty without prior approval from the Regional Office.
The Bank has ordered all staff to take approval from Regional Office before applying for leave. The letter stated that:
- No staff member can be granted leave without prior approval from the Regional Office.
- If any staff member goes on leave without sanction, the Regional Office must be informed immediately and a service recall notice will be sent to the concerned staff.
- If any Branch Head permits leave to staff without Regional Office approval, the Branch Manager will have to give an explanation for this violation.
The circular has been issued by Mr. Srikanth V, Assistant General Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Regional Office, Pune.
What you think of this? Do let us know in the comment section below.
Totally against service rules of bank employees. Region Heads are assuming powers not assigned to them. Unions must unanimously raise their voice
Subject: Representation against unjustified leave restrictions and violation of staff rights
Respected Sir / Madam,
I wish to bring to your kind attention a matter of serious concern regarding the recent circular issued by the Regional Office, Pune, dated 21.08.2025, signed by Shri Srikanth V, Assistant General Manager, on the subject of “Leave Discipline.”
The said circular imposes a blanket restriction that “NO leaves to be sanctioned to any staff members without prior approval / sanction from Regional Office.” This direction is not only unjustified but also violative of the basic service rights of staff members, who are otherwise entitled to different categories of leave as per bank rules and bipartite settlements.
Sir, this practice effectively treats the staff members like bonded labourers (bandhua mazdoor), denying them the legitimate use of their earned, casual, and other leaves. It has also come to notice that salaries are being unfairly deducted on account of such leave denials, despite sufficient leave balances being available in employees’ accounts. Such arbitrary restrictions cause undue harassment, humiliation, and severe demoralization among the staff, ultimately affecting productivity and the reputation of our esteemed bank.
May I respectfully submit the following points for your immediate consideration:
1. Leave is a right, not a privilege – Every employee is entitled to leave as per rules. Denial of the same amounts to a breach of service conditions.
2. Centralization of leave sanction at Regional Office is impractical and highly inconvenient, leading to delays, miscommunication, and unnecessary friction.
3. Unjustified salary deductions for availing leave despite sufficient balances is not only unfair but also illegal, and is bound to create industrial unrest.
4. Such authoritarian instructions set a wrong precedent across regional offices, damaging the healthy employer–employee relationship that our Bank has always maintained.
I therefore request your good office to:
Immediately withdraw such unjustified circulars restricting the sanction of leave.
Reinstate the authority of Branch Heads to sanction leave within prescribed rules.
Instruct Regional Offices to refrain from practices that resemble exploitation of staff.
Ensure that no salary deductions are made for availed leaves when balances are available.
We sincerely hope that the management will protect the dignity, rights, and welfare of staff members, and will take strict corrective action against such arbitrary and high-handed instructions issued at Regional Offices.
With regards,
It’s common in this bank nowadays they are using their authority to satisfy their ego and they have got complete support from the head.
Very very arbitrary, higher authorities show interest in unnecessary fields rather than motivation of staff in right direction. Association leaders must intervene to stop this mockery, definitely there must have been assent from HO level to dare issuing this type of instruction
Very unfair practice