Are Targets Worth Than Lives? Canara Bank Officer Suicide Highlights Work Pressure

A pall of grief and anger has spread across Canara Bank circles after the tragic death of Ms. B. Gayatri, an Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) of the 2019 batch, posted at Chityal branch, Hyderabad Circle, who allegedly ended her life reportedly due to unbearable work pressure.

According to some bankers, what has intensified the pain is the complete silence from the Canara Bank Officers’ Association (CBOA), which has not even issued a condolence message for its members. Officers have expressed outrage, calling it a betrayal of trust by a body that claims to safeguard their welfare.

Colleagues highlighted that when one of their own loses her life under such tragic circumstances, indifference and silence amount to complicity. Officers believe the association must take a firm stand and ensure accountability.

Image: AEO B. Gayatri of Canara Bank’s 2019 batch reportedly ended her life due to unbearable work pressure.

In a strongly worded message, AEOs have demanded:
A thorough and transparent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the incident.
Accountability of those responsible for creating a hostile working environment.
Immediate steps to reduce workload and targets, ensuring a healthy work–life balance.
Setting up counselling and mental health support systems for distressed officers.

Image: A viral WhatsApp Screenshot about the tragic incident.

Work Pressure Taking a Toll on Bank Officers
This heartbreaking incident has once again brought to light the growing burden of work pressure, unrealistic targets, and mental stress in the banking sector. Officers across circles have long complained about being overburdened with sales targets, insurance cross-selling, and back-to-back workload with little regard for their mental health or personal lives. The absence of adequate staffing, coupled with pressure from higher authorities, has created an inhumane work culture that leaves officers vulnerable to stress and burnout.

Officers are now demanding that employee dignity and mental well-being must take precedence over numbers and profits.

The tragic loss of Gayatri should be a turning point, a reminder that no job target is worth a life.