PNB Employees Angry Over Holiday Work Orders, Circle Heads Order Branches to Work on Holidays
Punjab National Bank has reportedly directed its branches to remain open on 26 and 27 June 2026. According to reports, almost all Circle Heads of PNB have instructed Branch Heads to keep their branches operational on these dates.
26 June is a holiday on the occasion of Muharram, while 27 June is the fourth Saturday and 28 June is the fourth Sunday of the month. Normally, banks and government offices remain closed on these three days. These holidays provide much-needed rest to bank employees. However, as per reports, Circle Heads have instructed Branch Heads to work during these holidays.
Below is a copy of an order issued by the Sitapur Circle, in which the Circle Head has directed Branch Heads to open branches on these holidays.
Similar office orders have reportedly been issued in other circles as well. However, PNB MD & CEO has repeatedly advised employees not to work on holidays. On several occasions, he has stated that he does not support holiday working and has instructed Circle Heads and Zonal Heads not to call staff to work on holidays. Despite these directions from the MD & CEO, reports suggest that some Circle Heads are still asking employees to work on holidays.
On 5th May, while announcing the plethora of benefits for PNB employees, the MD&CEO also urged the staff not to work on holidays. This is not the first time he has announced this decision. Earlier in February 2025, Punjab National Bank (PNB) MD Shri Ashok Chandra addressed a town hall meeting in Mumbai, where he shared an important message about respecting holidays and personal time.
During his speech, he revealed that for the past 10–11 years, he has never worked on a Sunday, nor has he called any employee to work on a holiday.He firmly believes that working on holidays does not add value to the bank’s business or profitability. Instead, he stressed that employees should be given proper time to rest and spend quality moments with their families.
But still, Circle Heads are ordering staff to work on holidays – 26 and 27 June 2026. Employees are criticizing the bank management over this decision. Bank employees already face difficulties in getting leave, and now even designated holidays are reportedly being taken away. Employees have long been demanding a five-day banking system, but many are questioning the benefit of five-day banking if staff are still required to work on holidays.
Moreover, another issue has emerged. According to reports, some Circle Heads are telling officers that AIPNBOA is supporting the move and that all officers must work on holidays.
However, when we looked into the matter, we found that AIPNBOA had only appealed to its members to work diligently to improve the bank’s business performance before the quarter-end. The association did not ask employees to work on holidays. Why some Circle Heads are making such statements remains unclear. The following message has been circulated by the AIPNBOA team:
Dear Comrades, We have received a communication from the Bank’s Top Management highlighting that our Bank is currently lagging behind in the achievement of PNPA reduction and NPA recovery targets for the quarter ending 30th June 2026.With only 4 working days remaining in the current month and Q1 of FY 2026-27, we appeal to all our members to put in their best efforts during this crucial period. Special focus may please be given to: • Reduction of Potential NPAs (PNPAs) through follow-up and corrective actions. • Recovery in existing NPA accounts through intensive recovery drives and customer engagement. • Upgradation of eligible accounts and prevention of fresh slippages. This is to Ensuring improvement in the overall asset quality position of the Bank as on 30th June 2026 vis-a-vis our competitor leading PSBs. As responsible officers Association and stakeholders in the Bank’s growth, let us make every possible effort to improve our performance on this important parameter and contribute towards achieving the Bank’s business objectives.Together, let us finish the quarter on a strong note which would help us in achieving more and more welfare for our officers. Please share the message to all our officer members.
Bank employees are deeply concerned about the situation, as they claim they are being called to work on most holidays. In PNB, more than 70% of the vacancies for the Local Bank Officer (LBO) post reportedly remained unfilled, and a similar percentage of Clerk vacancies also remained vacant. According to reports, many candidates are hesitant to join banks because of the deteriorating work culture.
Holidays are meant to be spent with family and used for rest and personal well-being. If work cannot be completed during regular working days, then there may be structural and staffing issues that need attention. The government and bank management should look into these concerns seriously.
