Overworked & Undermanned: Staff Shortages Impacting Women Bank Employees' Health

When a woman joins the banking sector, she walks into a world that promises security, structure, and respect. But inside the bank premises, the reality paints a different picture. Over the years, public sector banks have struggled to fill vacancies, and the fallout has been hardest on their women staff.

One Job, Many Roles
With decreasing clerical strength and frozen hiring, bank officers, especially women, are now handling multiple roles. “On any given day, I am expected to manage customer queries, clear cheques, fill in at the cash counter, and meet my targets for third-party product sales,” said a woman officer from a major public sector bank to Kanal. “This isn’t multitasking—it’s pure exhaustion.”

Physical Health Under Stress
Long sitting hours, inadequate ergonomics, and a high-pressure environment have begun to take a serious toll on women’s physical health. Many complain of chronic backaches, cervical pain, swollen legs, migraines, and hormonal imbalances. “My legs swell up badly by the end of the day. There’s hardly any time to get up, stretch, or rest. And with no proper chairs or posture support, it only gets worse,” said a bank employee to Kanal.

Weekend work—especially during month-ends or audits—has added to the fatigue. Without adequate rest days, many are experiencing disrupted sleep, low immunity, and burnout. “Even on Sundays, we’re sometimes called in for targets or reconciliation. There’s no break, and the body just gives up,” shared another officer.

Mental Toll of Never-ending Pressure
Banking jobs come with responsibilities. But what happens when these responsibilities multiply, and support disappears? The mental toll is deep and unspoken. “I feel guilty even asking for a half-day off. The workload is so heavy that it either gets piled on me the next day, or my team ends up struggling,” said one female employee.

The fear of underperformance, pressure to meet cross-selling targets, and constant deadlines have led to rising anxiety and burnout. There are no institutional mechanisms for psychological support, and most women end up suppressing their struggles.

Strained Family Lives, Missed Moments
Work doesn’t end when a woman leaves the bank. At home, she is expected to step into her second shift—cooking, caring, and managing her household. With no work-life balance in sight, family life suffers. “By the time I reach home, my child is already tired. I haven’t been to a single PTA meeting in two years,” said a mother working in a public sector bank.

The lack of empathy and flexibility from the system, especially during personal emergencies or health issues has made many women question whether their careers are sustainable in the long run.

The Human Cost of Inaction
Several unions, including AIBOC, AIBEA, BEFI and AIPNBOF, have repeatedly raised concerns over understaffing and its consequences. But the silence from higher authorities has been loud. For women in banks, the cost of systemic inaction isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal.

It’s time for policymakers, senior management, and regulators to acknowledge the invisible labour, gender-specific challenges, and emotional burden women bank employees carry every day. Addressing staff shortages is no longer just an operational issue—it’s a matter of dignity, equity, and basic humanity.