Advertisement
‘UCO Bank Transfers Employees Over WhatsApp Forwards’ Union Cite Violation of Rights
The All India Federation of UCO Bank Officers has raised concern over disciplinary actions linked to internal social media discussions. The union has urged the bank’s top management to review recent staff transfers and uphold employees’ rights under the Constitution. The management reportedly took internal forwards personally and issued transfers to far-away or difficult postings.
Author: Kalyani Mali
Published: 5 hours ago
Advertisement
In a letter dated October 14, 2025, the All India Federation of UCO Bank Officers (AIFUCBO), appealed to the Managing Director and CEO of UCO Bank to intervene in an issue concerning employee rights and social media communication. The federation emphasised that internal staff discussions are being misinterpreted, resulting in transfers that they deem unjustified.
Transfers Over WhatsApp Forwards
The issue began when reports emerged that UCO Bank executives were planning a Diwali celebration despite an Official Circular restricting festival-related expenditure. After Public Sector Bank (PSB) employees criticised the move on social media, the event was cancelled.
However, the situation escalated when the management allegedly transferred officers who had merely discussed or forwarded the news in internal WhatsApp groups. The management took the internal forwards personally and issued transfers to far-away or difficult postings.
Advertisement
These were simple messages already viral publicly, yet officers—who had only forwarded them within internal chats—were penalised solely on the basis of those WhatsApp forwards.
Image: Screenshots of criticism on X regarding the Diwali Party
Diwali Party Plan Cancelled After Criticism
Preparations for a Diwali party reportedly organised for senior executives at UCO Bank were underway, with gifts already purchased and the celebration initially planned for Sunday.
However, the management decided to cancel the event later.
The controversy came soon after a UCO Bank circular dated October 10, 2025, referring to a Department of Financial Services directive that prohibited spending on gifts for festivals.
Read More on this: UCO Bank Cancels Diwali Gifts While PNB Approves ₹2000 Distribution: PSB Staff Express Confusion
Union Flags Action Over Internal Discussions
The AIFUCBO letter highlights that certain internal messages shared among employees in private groups have become the basis for disciplinary action. According to AIFUCBO, these messages were never circulated publicly on platforms like Twitter or Facebook but were part of internal exchanges among colleagues.
Image: AIFUCBO’s letter to UCO Bank management requesting intervention over transfers linked to internal WhatsApp messages
Concerns Over Employee Rights and Fair Treatment
The federation argued that transferring employees based on private group messages undermines fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) and the right to form associations under Article 19(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution. It further cited Article 21, which ensures the protection of life and personal liberty, stating that transfers made without justification can adversely affect the emotional and financial well-being of employees.
Call for Management Intervention
AIFUCBO also referred to Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, emphasising that selective action against some employees could foster a sense of discrimination within the organisation. The letter urged the bank’s leadership to restore confidence among staff by ensuring fairness, transparency, and open dialogue between management and unions.
Appeal for Constructive Dialogue
In conclusion, the federation requested the bank’s top management to address the issue promptly and to promote a cooperative environment that supports both institutional discipline and the legitimate rights of employees.
The AIFUCBO has formally sought the intervention of the Managing Director and CEO to review transfers allegedly linked to internal WhatsApp discussions. The letter, citing constitutional provisions, requests that the matter be examined to ensure fairness and open communication between management and employees.
No comments yet.