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AIBOC Raises Alarm Over Officer Welfare at Bank of Baroda
AIBOC has raised serious concerns over rising stress, late-night meetings, and officer deaths at Bank of Baroda, urging immediate action to protect staff welfare and dignity.
Author: Ishna
Published: 8 hours ago
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The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), through its affiliate, the Federation of Bank of Baroda Officers’ Associations (FBOBOA), has issued a strong warning to the top management of Bank of Baroda (BoB) over growing concerns about officer welfare, work-life balance, and violations of official guidelines.
Background
On 23 September 2025, FBOBOA wrote to Shri Debadatta Chand, Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Baroda, stressing that officers are facing unbearable stress, long working hours, and harassment, despite clear instructions from the Corporate Office to protect employee well-being.
Recent Incidents Highlighting the Crisis
The letter points to tragic and alarming events across different regions:
- Ranchi Region (Jharkhand): Shri Ishwar Chander Jha, a Branch Manager, took his own life after being called for a meeting at 10 p.m. in violation of official rules.
- Ernakulam Region (Kerala): A Chief Manager was pressured into attending late-night meetings.
- Pune Region (Maharashtra): A Chief Manager was similarly forced into late-night sessions.
- Bhubaneswar Region (Odisha): Shri Rahul Kumar Pal, an officer, died suddenly after being made to attend a meeting past 9 p.m.
These incidents, according to AIBOC, show a pattern of late-night meetings, intimidation, misuse of authority, and lack of accountability, creating an unsafe environment for officers.
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Violation of Head Office Guidelines
AIBOC highlighted that several internal guidelines are being ignored, including:
- Circular No. SP&PB:117/192 (27 June 2025): Limits meetings to 4–6 p.m. after customer hours.
- Additional directives (8 August 2025): Addressed to Regional/Zonal Heads to rationalise workloads, stop harassment, and respect officers’ dignity.
Despite these clear instructions, officers continue to face workplace harassment, overwork, and mental stress.
Demands from AIBOC
To address the crisis, AIBOC has demanded:
- Immediate suspension of the Regional Manager and DRM of Ranchi pending inquiry into the case of Shri Ishwar Chander Jha.
- Accountability for the death of Shri Rahul Kumar Pal, fixing responsibility at all levels.
- Strict enforcement of guidelines on meeting timings and officer dignity.
- Review of staff dismissals and reinstatement where wrongful harassment is proven.
- A clear policy for protecting officer safety, dignity, and work-life balance.
AIBOC’s Stand
AIBOC has firmly reminded Bank of Baroda’s management that officers are not just employees but human beings with families. The repeated violation of welfare guidelines has led to stress, accidents, and suicides. The federation warned that if management does not act, it will be forced to escalate its struggle to safeguard officer rights.
Conclusion
The letter ends with a call for urgent corrective measures to restore humane working conditions and accountability. AIBOC has made it clear that protecting officer dignity, safety, and work-life balance must be the bank’s top priority if it wishes to avoid further tragedies and safeguard its reputation.
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