UCO Bank Staff Protest in Shimla: An Outburst Against Toxic Work Culture

A large number of officers and employees gathered outside UCO Bank’s Zonal Office in Shimla on Thursday to protest against what they described as a toxic work culture. The protest, led by the UCO Bank Officers’ Association Himachal Pradesh (UCBOA-HP, affiliated to All India UCO Bank Officers’ Federation and AIBOC), was aimed at drawing attention to various issues, including harassment of staff, poor management practices, and unsafe working conditions, particularly for female employees.

Letter Highlights Bankers’ Concerns

Earlier, UCBOA-HP had written a detailed letter to the Zonal Head of UCO Bank in Shimla, highlighting several grievances faced by bank officers. According to the letter, the bank’s partial redressal of a leave advisory issued in July 2024 has caused confusion and demotivation among bankers. Despite repeated requests, the previous leave sanctioning system has not been reinstated fully, causing dissatisfaction among the workforce.

(Letter by UCO Bank Officers’ Association -Himachal Pradesh to the Zonal Head, Shimla.)  

The letter also addressed critical issues such as the late working hours of female staff. The association expressed concerns regarding the safety and well-being of female officers who were being made to work late into the evening. "It is imperative to ensure the well-being and safety of our employees, more so in the case of female officers," the letter read.

Frequent Reviews and Pressure on Branches

Bankers raised concerns about the excessive frequency of branch reviews and video conferences, which were conducted every 7-8 working days. Officers argued that the frequent reviews did not allow branches adequate time to prepare and meet the bank’s performance expectations. They called for bi-monthly reviews to ease the workload on staff.

In addition, the practice of “login days” being conducted almost daily was another point of contention. Officers complained that this practice placed undue pressure on branches to meet targets and affected customer service, as branch staff had to focus on achieving daily performance goals at the expense of other tasks.

(Bankers gathered in protest outside UCO Bank Zonal Office, Shimla.) 

Staffing Shortages and Unfair Transfers

The letter fromUCBOA-HP also highlighted another significant issue, that of the shortage of staff across various branches. Officers reported that many branches were operating under immense pressure due to inadequate staffing, making it difficult to meet performance goals.

The letter also highlighted instances of premature and irrational transfers, particularly in hilly or difficult terrains, where some officers were transferred to more comfortable locations while others were left behind without justification. This, according to the UCBOA-HP, violated the bank’s transfer policies.

Overburdened Departments and Leave Denials

Officers working in the Credit Processing Centre (CPC) and other departments in the Zonal Office also reported being overburdened, with tight deadlines for processing proposals. This has led to a heightened risk of lapses and, subsequently, staff accountability.

Moreover, the denial or partial sanctioning of paternity and transit leaves was flagged as a violation of employees' legitimate rights. Instances were reported where legitimate leaves were either turned down or only partially sanctioned, further aggravating the situation.

The UCBOA-HP reiterated their demand for reinstating the previous leave sanctioning pattern in all branches along with demand for immediate attention to other issues raised in their letter. The protest on 5 September in Shimla was part of a broader effort by the association to register the discontent among bankers and ensure that the bank management takes corrective actions.