Union Bank Officers Decry New Transfer Policy: Calls for Humanitarian Consideration and Legal Compliance

Complaints have surfaced from Union Bank officers regarding the new transfer policy, which they claim overlooks personal and family circumstances. The All India Union Bank Officers’ Federation (AIUBOF) has written a letter to the Managing Director & CEO, urging a review of the policy's implementation.

Union Bank officers are raising alarms about being transferred to distant locations and other states, often without consideration for their personal situations. Many officers are active on social media, expressing their frustrations over the new policy’s impact on their children’s education and family members' health.

(Letter from AIUBOF to the management detailing the issues.)

Union's Letter Highlights Policy Issues

In their letter to the Managing Director & CEO of Union Bank, AIUBOF has addressed significant issues with the current transfer policy. The letter criticises the arbitrary reassignment of officers, including instances where employees are relocated over 3,000 kilometers away. The union stresses that these transfers are done without empathy, negatively affecting officer morale.

(A common banker expresses concern on platform X.)

"Officers are not machines; they deserve humane treatment," the letter states. It also mentions that recent transfers disregard discussions from a small committee meeting held on 21 May, where no final decision was made on the transfer policy.

Legal and Policy Violations

The All India Union Bank Officer Staff Association (AIUBOSA), an officers’ organisation in Union Bank affiliated to All India Bank Officers’ Association(AIBOA), has also written to the management, citing violations of Government of India guidelines dated 8 August, 2014, and 13 January, 2015. The letter also references an order from the High Court of Madras, warning the bank to avoid contempt actions due to non-compliance.

(The letter from AIUBOSA highlighting violation of guidelines and contempt of court.) 

Call for Revised Transfer Process

The unions call for immediate discussions to reassess and revise the entire transfer process. They demand that officers with longer tenures of nine years be assigned to nearby zones without exception. The letter underscores the importance of prioritising officers' requested transfers and ensuring proper documentation of all discussions and decisions.

(Another post on platform X criticising the transfer policy in Union Bank)

As the controversy over Union Bank's new transfer policy continues, the officers and their representative organisations are calling for more balanced and humane consideration in transfer decisions. Anomalies in transfers have become the centre of discussions among officers across public sector banks. The unions and officers reassert that contented employees are crucial for effective customer service and business growth.