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UCO Bank Officers Report Rising Stress Over Leave Restrictions
UCO Bank officers report rising stress and strict leave restrictions, especially for staff posted far from their families. Leave approvals are often denied or shortened, and some are told they are “just taking salary and not contributing to the bank,” adding frustration. Officers also highlight travel costs, insensitivity during personal emergencies, and difficulty obtaining festival leave.
Author: Kalyani Mali
Published: September 22, 2025
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Speaking to Kanal, an officer from UCO Bank, on condition of anonymity, highlighted growing concerns over leave policies, target pressures, and workplace stress. Officers report that genuine leave requests are frequently denied or shortened, requiring repeated follow-ups. Staff posted in distant zones such as Chennai and Ahmedabad face additional challenges, including travel, cultural differences, and scrutiny of branch performance amid target pressure. All such issues and the stress caused by repeated difficulties in getting leave have reportedly become a new normal in UCO Bank, especially for non-local employees.
Leave Approvals and Personal Emergencies
Officers report that leave approvals are increasingly linked to branch performance. Requests for genuine personal leave are often denied or shortened, causing frustration and stress. Some employees say they have been told they are “just taking salary and not contributing to the bank,” which adds to emotional pressure. Staff note that repeated follow-ups are often required to get even a few days of leave approved.
Extended Work Hours and Stress
Officers report working late hours, often until 9–10 p.m., and say they are sometimes verbally abused when asking for leave. Some employees have to take medical leave because long working hours and strict leave rules are causing them stress, showing how difficult the work environment has become.
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Challenges for Non-Local Staff
Employees posted far from their families, particularly in zones such as Chennai and Ahmedabad, face additional difficulties. Requests for 7–8 days of leave are sometimes reduced to 2–3 days, with weekends counted toward the total. Officers report financial strain due to travel costs and rising ticket prices. Some staff feel compelled to repeatedly “beg” for leave, even for short periods, which contributes to stress.
Festival Leave
Obtaining festival leave, such as during Durga Puja, is reportedly difficult despite early applications. Officers say delays in approval can force them to pay higher travel costs and create additional stress. In some zones, staff are told that joining leave is sufficient, discouraging requests for additional leave.
Inconsistent Policies Across Zones
Staff note that leave policies are applied inconsistently. While head office employees in Kolkata reportedly manage leave more easily, zonal staff in Chennai and Ahmedabad face stricter rules. Officers say this creates a perception of unequal treatment among staff.
UCO Bank officers face multiple challenges related to leave restrictions, target pressures, and extended working hours, particularly those posted far from their families. Delays and denials in leave approvals, insensitivity during personal emergencies, and strict fortnightly reviews contribute to rising stress levels. Officers emphasise the need for transparent, consistent, and empathetic leave policies, along with fair performance assessments, to support employee wellbeing and reduce workplace pressure across zones.
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