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Union Bank Directive on Weekend Retail Loan Work
Union Bank of India’s new directive for weekend work at Retail Loan Points (RLPs) has sparked outrage among bankers, raising concerns about work-life balance.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: May 6, 2024
The Union Bank of India on May 4 released a directive for its employees to work on the weekends. The official directive was on the openings of Retail Loan Points (RLP) on holidays (Saturday and Sunday).
The RLPs are the backbone of retail loan growth acting as a bridge between the Branches and the Central Offices. They are specialised processing hubs established by the bank for processing and sanctioning of Retail loans such as Mortgage-backed loans.
Image: Union Bank directive on Weekend Work
Image Source: X
Opposition to Weekend Work Directive
Following the introduction of the weekend work directive, the banking community reacted with anger and frustration, condemning the bank's decision. A concerned banker saw this as a potential sign of future privatisation, predicting that bankers would be turned into virtual slaves.
An anonymous banker echoed these sentiments, describing the directive as a form of slavery, especially given that the bank's tagline professes to offer “banking with good people.” The reaction underscores a growing concern among bank employees about their work-life balance and the impact of increasing demands on their job satisfaction and well-being.
Image: Tweet ridiculing the Weekend directive
Image source: X
The Controversy of Weekend Work and Extended Hours
Bankers have long voiced their concerns over weekend work, citing the mounting pressure to meet targets. In February, Union Bank Officers led a protest called ‘Mission Swabhiman’ to advocate for work-life balance, pushing back against a culture of excessive after-hours work.
Additionally, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has been accused of exerting similar pressures, allegedly forcing employees to work extra hours and on holidays to enhance the bank's social media presence.
The controversy surrounding weekend work remains a significant concern for bankers, especially as the call for five-days banking goes unheeded, despite the 12th Bipartite Settlement (BPS) and the 9th Joint Note. This ongoing issue reflects the broader struggle for a more balanced and humane work environment in the banking sector.