Indian Overseas Bank Union raises concern over harassment of Officers

The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) Officers’ Association has raised concerns about various issues affecting the bank’s officer community. In a letter to the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), the association highlighted the bank’s unilateral approach to HR policies, sudden transfer orders, and a decline in officer morale due to increasing stress.

The letter specifically mentioned several service issues that require immediate attention. These include inadequate clerical staff at branches, which adds to the workload of officers, the unethical practice of denying day-end permission that poses a safety risk to officers, calling officers to work on Sundays and holidays, conducting review meetings at late hours or on holidays, and denying officers’ leave requests even for genuine reasons.

The letter also expressed concerns about the denial of a balanced work-life environment and the breach of the board-approved transfer policy. Transfer orders issued by top and regional management, allegedly due to non-achievement of targets, were strongly criticized. The humiliation of officers during review meetings was highlighted as a pressing issue, further exacerbating the challenges within the bank’s organizational culture.

It is worth noting that employees in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have faced various obstacles, including staff shortages, target pressures, weekend work, and the mis-selling of third-party products to meet targets. Late meetings extending beyond office hours have added to the challenges faced by PSB bankers.

The IOB Officers’ Association’s concerns shed light on the need for addressing these issues to ensure a conducive work environment and the well-being of officers within the banking sector.