In the bustling world of finance, where numbers and profits reign supreme, there are those who find themselves torn between their passion for the industry and the toll it takes on their personal lives. This is the story of a bank manager, a dedicated and ambitious 34-year-old bank manager, who, despite her promising career in a prestigious government bank, made the difficult decision to resign. The following story was published in Business Standard under Opinion category.
Read her story
Yet another Women’s Day passed by for 34-year-old Minu (name changed), a branch manager of a large public-sector bank in Mumbai. She had put in her papers last month and her office had released her recently. She had offered to pay to have the three-month notice period reduced. The day she was released. she could go home early. But there was no early dinner. Her husband, also a banker, came home after 10 pm. Most of the days, they would compete on coming home late.
From this week, the scene could be different for them and Jia, their four-year-old daughter. with Minu joining a bank that offers flexible working hours. She gave me these pages of her 2023 diary while she was celebrating Women’s Day last week with her friends.
Sunday
Ooh la la!! I could sleep till 8.30 am. In the past four weeks. I had to go to the office even on Sundays because of the impending annual internal audit of the branch. As the branch head, my job is to ensure compliance with all critical parameters before the audit. But transfer/resignation of a few has led to the pending work. Today was my “me time I had booked a slot for self-grooming. I would go shopping with Jia, who thinks I am “the world’s worst mummy”. I would be with her all day. As I was preparing breakfast, there was a call from my regional head. Our new executive director, on a visit to our zonal office on Monday, wished to meet some customers. I was instructed to shortlist some “happy” customers who could give good feedback to the ED. What did I do? Junked the plan of visiting the beauty parlour. Also, couldn’t go to the mall with Jia to buy her a bicycle. I hit the laptop and started scrolling down the list of customers. Then was a follow-up call from the regional head on taking the ED to the customers. I was not prepared for that. My idea was to call the customers to our office. It’s 1 pm now. The gong of the old wall clock hit me with an acute guilt feeling — I had promised to my mother-in-law to cook her favourite pomfret curry, Konkani style. Her other daughter-in-law, a schoolteacher, treats her so well whenever she goes to Pune. She would not leave a chance to taunt me. It seems that you alone are running your bank. By evening, two customers confirmed their availability. Would the ED be able to meet both before catching the flight back? By 9 pm the ED office approved the plan. Jia could just stare at her favourite Barbie gown in the wardrobe but not wear it.
Monday
Before I left home. a message beeped on my mobile: The bank has issued a circular directing the employees not to take any leave till March 31. When I reached the branch at 9 am, I found a young lady sitting quietly outside my cabin. She had been deputed to our branch to assist in audit work. Inside my cabin, she burst into tears. Advaita completed her maternity leave recently and requested a posting at the regional office, which has a creche facility. As there’s no position available there, she has to work in a branch. A call from the zonal head broke the silence. The next few minutes were not so pleasant. Out of the blue, the zonal head said: “Madam, you are not doing anything: you are simply coming to the office and wasting time. I will transfer you soon.” I patiently heard him out. Such statements are not new.
Tuesday
The morning began with a meeting on compliance. The regional head instructed us to check all the loan accounts and submit a compliance certificate. The interest rate and charges must be levied correctly to ensure there’s no revenue leakage. My branch has 163 accounts. I would have to issue the compliance certificate by EoD. A meeting of the credit monitoring department followed this. It was already 4.30 pm but I could not complete all the tasks I’d planned for the day as my shoulder pain was rising. I booked an appointment with the doctor and informed the regional head. Before I could open my mouth. he started listing the “to-do tasks” – my branch did not login any business in the gold loan campaign period; the savings account opening rate had gone down: we sold only two PoS machines last month against a target of seven. “I want you to sell two home loan leads per week and sanction one MSME loan this month,” he continued. I left the office by 6.30 pm but attended another review meeting at the orthopaedics clinic on Zoom, while waiting for my turn. There was a call around 8.30 pm from a colleague just after I reached home. He checked which serial I was watching before the business talk started!
Wednesday
It was the data management login day and the first day of internal audit. Advaita was on leave as her child was sick. We had already received five email reminders for data cleaning and update for 450 deposit accounts and 117 loan accounts. These needed to be completed within two working days. I received a call from Jia’s class teacher. She had vomited in the class. I rushed to her school and took her to the nearest hospital. Jia had severe food poisoning. Ma had gone to Pune for a week and my maid had been cooking food. Couldn’t the school call my husband? In the evening, at home, while I was talking to the digital loan department about our performance and road maps for the pre-approved loan targets, I could see hubby’s glum face. He didn’t say anything but rekindled the guilt feeling in me. Jia would be on electro-lyte water for 24 hours.
Thursday
The business figures of the branch could have been more encouraging new business leads were taking time for conversion, and staff shortage is making meeting customers difficult. The disconnect with customers rises proportionately with the increase of review meetings by the management. The pressure to improve the bot-tom line was renewed at a Zoom call with seniors. It was routine reiteration: There should be five new businesses from the top customers. The sales figures of insurance and mutual funds looked pathetic. I was reprimanded again. Meanwhile, the auditor pointed out that regular inspection on several loan accounts was pending and needed to be completed for better scoring. I con-ducted a staff meeting and allotted the accounts due for inspection. The clerical staff were not happy with the assignment. but I had no time to interact with them as I had to rush to the regional office to attend a meeting on pending locker agreement renewals. While I was about to leave my branch at 8.30 pm, I was given a list of control returns — monthly statements, reports – to be submitted by the next day. At home, holding Jia on his lap, hubby advised me to put in my papers as he could take care of our financial needs. That was not new. Still, it was difficult to fall asleep. What would my identity be without this job? How long can this continue? Don’t I want to become a big banker? How will I fulfil my dream?
Friday
An unhappy customer spoiled my first cup of tea in the branch. Then I found the letter on my table — from the zonal office. It’s an explanation call for an account that turned into an NPA. I had processed it during my last stint at Nagpur. Within a week. I would have to reply. I left for home early, skipped my dinner and hit the bed.
Saturday
I reached Jia’s school in time for the parent-teacher meeting. Her class teacher told me that her concentration level was going down. After leaving the school, on my way home on the second Saturday of the month. I switched off my mobile.
In the fast-paced world of government banks in India, a distressing trend has been unfolding. It has become increasingly common for individuals to abandon their positions within these institutions, citing the overwhelming work pressure and lack of work-life balance as the main culprits. This phenomenon has sparked concerns about the well-being of bank employees and raised questions about the sustainability of such an environment.
Government banks in India have long been revered for their stability, security, and opportunities for growth. However, behind the facade of these esteemed institutions lies a troubling reality. The demanding nature of the job, coupled with the ever-increasing expectations, has created an environment that is both mentally and physically exhausting for the employees.
It is a true fact. All seniors in bank think that are only doing work others are fool. Bank job is not a job for which purpose bans are establish. Now these are like departmental store of a big city. In my opinion the main purpose of seniors to get their boss happy to jump another stair by doing undu pressure on juniors. Hence bank job is a. Hell now a days.
Bank job in branch level are very much like curse where seniors almost inhuman in nature doing oiling to their boss having no character or feelings for junior are coward and worthless person so far banking job is concern. Now senior in zonal or regional are torturing there juniors and competing to show their performance in relation to other regional or zonal. Its nothing but doing chamchagiri and exploring their positions as senior .
It’s curse at each level Sir
It’s 💯 % true sad reality experienced by most of the field level bankers. Only exception is clerical staff as they do routine counter jobs and leave office mostly on time . The officer staff are worst affected in all respects including frequent outstation transfers.
More over lot of complaints and legal cases of false nature on Management kills the dynamic attitude.
This is true facts of a branch in charge of a public sector bank . This routine has spoiled not only official performance of a branch head but also family life of many officers. Presently each & every regional head want to become a zonal head and zonal head wants to become chief general manager or ED by hook or crook. They don’t hesitate to abuse their branch heads despite of being fully aware their branch staff position and work pressure on them . Nowadays a new trend has started in PSBs that people sitting at administrative offices are not mentoring their team members but casually advise the officers to go through the guidelines communicated by Bank.
If a man commits sin then God gives him job in bank in next birth.
So true.. i don’t see any kids of this generation aspiring to become a Banker or accept Banking as a career. Its like if they don’t get anything else they come here and run away at the first given opportunity.
I am also going through serious stress and health issues due to this pathetic job.
Almost 1.5 years has passed since I resigned from the post of Branch Manager(Sc-2) in a PSB.I too was aged 34 when I left the bank. I could feel her pain while reading through the article.Back then,The Regional office wasn’t even considerate enough to call me for a formal exit interview. Instead I was mailed the exit interview format and was advised to fill it with positive comments(as much as possible) so that my resignation would be accepted smoothly..Before signing the relieving letter, I was contacted by Zonal head through HRD.He mistreated me over the phone stating I had the habit of taking regular leaves in intervals. The lady HR Head helped me in convincing him to sign the relieving letter. I didn’t resign in the most difficult of times in my bank but I did when I was mistreated. Way to go sister, this job won’t decide your identity. Today. I am self-employed and leading a much better life.
I am going through serious health issues and stress due to this job. Wat should I do? Dnt want to continue plz guide
Banking getting worst n worst day by day..
Inhumane job
Every word narrated is true
All is practically wrote down. All must take a call on it and move towards a change. Every one dnt want to become bad and a pop to their boss. Until every one protest to uch type of environment, no much change we can expect and see. Start doing it and question whenever, wherever required.
Change is the only one which is not permenant. Let’s do it
Pressure from upper level is so daring to say either you do what I say or leave the job or better option to get you transferred , household Chorus is badly affected due to to undue where every information is available on line
Respected nirmala sitharaman madam finance minister.
Requesting you to Remove life insurance tie up with banks.
We are facing lot of insurance pressure from the managers.
We are not able to manage work and personal life.
Customers treating bankers as beggers.even they are not allowing us in to the house.
We are standing and waiting at customers gate like a beggar for business.
Bank culture has to be changed.other wise no one will work in banks.
Now a days customers are not respecting bankers. We became educated beggars.
Exactly…. why are bankers required to do insurance when the insurance company doesn’t do banking for us… do they cross sell our products to their customers and why are we doing their body for a mere commission and not even a percentage of the profit …. this has very much ruined banking for all of us field level officers
The story is no different in pvt banks. Apart from branch even in other controlling departments the story is more or less same across industry. Acute staff shortage, earth will disappear if you don’t submit type of deadlines, demands for huge adhoc data etc… are killing the industry.
Industry is no longer producing passionate bankers but insurance agents, excel experts etc.
for this same reason i also left a big psu bank because whatever things u do in life u r always loosing n both professional n personal is heavily hampered and no one is looking to this matter n jst want promotion
This trend is now increasing day by day in PSB, it is now very tough to do job in public sector bank. Every time they are now putting day end checks, etc. the people sitting in regional/ zonal office, doesn’t bother about working condition of branch.
They are just closed the eyes, any every time putting pressure on branch staff.
Senior Manager of a PSU…. I can feel every word of that lady in the article.
We feel pity for your daughter who suffers because of you, who in the wake of promotion and Success doesn’t disobey the calls of management. Kya kar lega management? Ab officers ki strength hi jyada hai. Sab haath khade karde! Kitni bar transfer karenge? Kitne ko karenge? Par apko promotion chahiye na? और obey करो मेनेजमेंट को!!🫠
This is the story of every bank employee. Life is more worse in private banks. Branch banking is worst department in banking.
We all know the name of the Bank, but can’t say it for our own sake, really shameful on what’s happening but check any newspaper they’ll say different. 18 holidays this month 25 this month and here we have to work on even weekends, your FM won’t care a bit. Really a day will come when this so called govt bank will privatised then no more drama by these fanatic because then we won’t have any right left, and the association will be same just like now with no help at all
Working woman issues are there as balancing Family life n Professional life in PSBs or in any other Sectors.
One should find the comfortable zone and should not blame others.
She has taken the decision to resign the Job in the larger interest of her Family.
I find a lot of woman are jobless and facing the family n social pressure in our country.
Imagine the situation of Defence Forces where they are misbehaved by wives of their officers and it is well enjoyed by ladies while treating serving soldiers as their personal servant. Women always play victim cards but whenever they got authority and chance they leave no stone unturned to humiliate men.
I can remember the words what Female IT professional told on national TV about solders who have given supreme sacrifice for nation leaving everything behind “They are paid / given salaries for that” . Women are doing great in all fields but same time they are unwilling to accept their wrongdoing to their families and societies. Money and position made them to promote adultery and live- in prostitution as status symbol and progressive mindset and this led to sepration from closed one and family as well knit family will never allow such non sence. Work life balance is must but not at the cost of social and professional norms. Women empowerment is not photo session it is need of time hence accept changes and enjoy. Think of Defense Forces when victim card is flashed even defence Forces are facing same where women join but soon they ask for office work and photo session for promotion of govt policy of women empowerment but what about field operation, who will do when men and women are paid equally except photo session.
God bless you for better choices.
While reading this article I imagine my past life is repeating .I am also 37 year old banker women holding Manager position in government bank have to resign for the same reason
True post, no one outside the banking system may be able to relate though, I resigned as a manager when 29 y/o, never doubted the decision at the time nor do I regret it now. PSB employees should already realise that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, no cries for help are going to be answered by anyone. Your life and working conditions would never improve, it’s a hard fact that you need to accept with this job. Being a government job society pressures you against resigning. Make a wise choice, leave while you can, there are always other jobs/opportunities but you live only once. PSB’s aren’t worth it
Now days there is no difference between private and PSU Bank. Day by day work culture is worst
I joined PSB in year 2011 as a PO. During my first year of service I faced the heat of gold coin selling and CASA camp. At that time I had decided not to expect any peaceful carrier growth in banking industry and I never applied for the promotion.
It’s not only the ladies that are facing such tough times. Even males are subject to humiliation and exploitation. I have been threatened with transfers at the whims and fancies of the higher management. Inhuman is the vogue in the banking sector, and it is increasing by the day. The quality of people going into higher management is questionable. I am a pro-staff, compassionate person. But have been sidelined owing to these qualities. Higher management routinely seek harsh and inhuman people to pass on the reins of the management.
If you are looking for a govt job, do not come into public sector banking. It is not recommended at all. There will be zero peace is mind all through the life. If, however, there is no other choice, increase your money in such a way you are able to quit in your mid-forties.
Dear all
It’s more or less the same in all PSBs and Pvt Banks… Now a days it is increasing further in PSBs. If banks leave JVs (life, MF, general, cards, Dmat …etc) then the existing staff is more than enough to serve the banking needs of the customers. These JVs are consuming more than 70% of the work force(time). Every now and then controllers will call, scold and threaten to transfer or resign from the job. No one can change even FM Nirmala Sitaraman too…
It seems the real story of many of the banks now a days.Not only women ,men are also facing the same issue especially when you don’t know buttering your seniors.they make your life hell.But resign is far better than going suicide as the suiced cases in banks are increasing day by day due to undue pressure..lyf is large than this bank job.
As I’m a banker the same things are happening with me also….there is only difference is Minu was married and she had in-laws family…but I’m unmarried…..
I too have resigned from a Govt Bank recently. I just hated the work culture there. The way seniors threat for transfer at every single disagreement made me realize the fear of going away from my 2 little kids is not worth it. I was an officer at a branch and my manager used to leave branch in the name of visits every day by 3:00 pm. One day I left the branch early by 4:30pm after finishing all the work as I was sick for past 5 days and still was coming to branch. I was on sick leave for next 2 days and when I joined back I was welcomed with an explanation letter and deputed to a branch 20km from my location. I have given my best effort to my Bank for 10 years and these things we face almost every single day. Now I have joined anothe organization and am too happy with my work profile.
Absolutely True write up!! Banks are turning worst than any other Corporates and a marketplace for XYZ to sell everything sitting on the heads of Branch Officers with undue pressure and targets.
If you are grown up with good moral values, you have to make 20 times more than normal efforts to push any product.
Nobody thinks of Sustainability.
The systems should be Honest and Transparent and at any point, any successful organisation should not lose any employee for other reasons.
Running over the same tide, most of the women and even men have been facing the same and much more as a routine. If you follow a simple rule of ‘never do it to your team’ (any bad things you faced) then there may be change in the long run.
Suffering should not be made to a Chain reaction. Happy Living should be the chain you create. For all those readers of comments.
Every word written by the lady employee is true. This can be feel by every employee the undue pressure on its employees particularly officer. The bank has become torture factory for its employees. Transfers are being done 2000 km away from family. Whether this is banking???
Now a days Banks are just like a retail trader kirana dukan , everything available what not . No proper banking is going on in banks . Aadhar card issuance , kyc updation , payment of bills , college/ school fees ,sala of mutual funds , sale of gold coin, and the list of jobs are all heterogeneous but dealing with money. In this condition of kirana shops , our Government wants to compete with international Banks . So such conditions arise to kill employees by hitting hard to strive to achieve all targets and parameters set by top executives,which they dream and commit to finance ministry. Women are worst sufferers in this draconian job policies, as they have the duty to give birth to children, rear them up , do cooking, take care of in laws ,husband , and the family at large forgetting that they are also existing.
I totally agree with her decision,knowing what she must have gone through. Any job has related stress and load, but some jobs are extremely stressful for people who have commitment to it.They are put to more work and more torture, the work keeps mounting but no one really cares about manpower allotment and work assigned. When majority does something by hook or crook, you are also forced to do the same otherwise you are reprimanded for being useless.Many of us have been disrespected in person, being shouted upon and what not.Having completed 5 years in a psb i have been through all of it.4 transfers in 5 years speak the story. One fine day i decided to give it up, no one even bothered to ask the reason, i was simply loaded with more work so that i could exit without troubles. The culture is bad, mediocre people has scaled up the ladder, and the good ones dread promotions or they just give up one fine day. Rest assured all of those who give up will have better future in organisation that would value us.
…Another person who decided to give up
Hi, Mr S r has written in comment on 14 March, please reply where can I join.. I am since 14 years in banking and same happened with me.. I am working in 35 km. Branch since 2 years since my manager is good at buttering and defamed me before dgm saying his targets are not completed due to me.
Fed up of this banking.. coz hrd is totally ruthless and dgm goes according to dem. Even union doesn’t help much and take benefits only for dem.
I also faced the same situations,while in service for 38yrs.If you don’t bother for self respect,you will win.I have seen so many offers who don’t work and don’t bother for humiliation,they have successfully passed their time of tenure.It is better to keep a note in pocket of dress describing that our higher management is solely responsible for our unnatural and untimely death.
In now a days banking you need to be yes boss only then you survive. You talent and hard work take back seat. You work under boss you have no knowledge or brains to how customer service is to be taken care of. In present days customer
back seat. Non ethical way of working is welcomed.
I also work in a public sector bank. But will be retiring in couple of months. I had a feel of clerical a officer and a executive working. The 4 decades of my banking the best was during 80s to 2000. Thereafter banking is become hell. We run behind something which is not worth. I feel sorry for the present days of bankers. Why this situation in banks these days is mainly due to reduced staff with more pressure on the existing staff. I don’t know why not proper recruitment is done when there is a need.
I too retired from Bank in 2009.worked as branch head in 10 branches.I feel day today pressures are their but were always overcome with planning and team building.Achievent of goals was always possible with delegation,team building,positive thinking and trust among colleagues.
Expose the Bank and it’s officials.
You should not hide the Bank name.
I was a Cash Officer of a Currency Chest at an urban centre of a PSB..The retention cash limit of that chest as stipulated by RBI was 20 crores only.But for some reason it swelled to 100 crores and the Bank was not doing anything about lifting the excess cash flowing.Over and above this situation ,I was compelled to do gold loans.I flatly refused in writing about thrusting this additional responsibility without giving me additional manpower .The management threatened to issue me a memo.I wrote back saying that I would forward the same to RBI
Nothing happened beyond that