Sheer Harassment: Bankers Allege Harassment as Indian Overseas Bank Mysore reviews performance before sanctioning Leave

Mysuru: Staff members of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in Mysore have raised serious concerns over what they describe as “harassment in the name of performance review”, after an internal communication surfaced showing that employees are being asked to submit detailed business performance data before their leave requests are even considered.

An internal email issued by the Mysore PAD office to all branches has gone viral on social media.

The email instructs officers to share targets versus actuals across multiple business parameters as a pre-condition for availing leave from the competent authority. The format demands data on key verticals such as:

• Savings Account
• Current Account
• Housing Loan
• Jewel Loan
• Slippages and other performance indicators

Employees are required to mention monthly targets, actual achievements up to the day before applying for leave, and detailed remarks in case of negative performance.

“Leave Is a Right, Not a Reward”

Bank staff allege that this practice has turned leave into a performance-linked privilege, rather than a basic service right. Several officers, speaking informally, said that such instructions create mental pressure, discourage employees from taking legitimate leave, and foster a culture of fear and constant surveillance.

“We are already under immense pressure to meet aggressive targets. Now even medical or family leave is being indirectly linked to business numbers,” said a senior bank officer on condition of anonymity.

Unions May Take Up the Matter

Employee unions are reportedly examining the issue and may take it up with higher authorities, arguing that HR policies cannot be subordinated to business targets. They maintain that while performance monitoring is part of banking operations, using it as a gatekeeper for leave approval is unethical and demoralising.

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