Banking Central | Who can tackle the worsening working culture in banks?

Last week, a viral voice clip and linked tweet exposed a senior executive at a state-run bank verbally abusing a junior officer, sparking protests at the bank branch. This incident, though not recent, underscores a broader issue of toxic work culture increasingly surfacing on social media in the Indian banking sector. \r

The recurring crisis prompts questions about why such abuses prevail in a profession traditionally regarded as genteel, and who holds the responsibility to address these incidents. Employee unions, more attuned to workers' issues than management or regulators, play a crucial role. They must act as a corrective force to curb abusive practices rooted in top-down pressures to meet business targets. \r

With nearly a million bank workers represented by powerful unions like those under the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), their organizational strength could effectively counter toxic workplace norms if their leadership is resolute in tackling these challenges.