AIB announcement of new hybrid working policy is regressive and shortsighted.

“This is a backward step for a bank that consistently presents itself as a family friendly employer” says FSU

The Financial Services Union (FSU) have described the announcement of AIB of a major change to their hybrid working policy as regressive and without justification.

AIB have today announced that all staff will be required to return to the office three days a week.

Commenting on the decision John O’Connell, General Secretary of the FSU said.

“The FSU are conscious not all employees in AIB can avail of remote working but for those who can this is a backward step for a bank that consistently attempts to pride itself on being a family friendly employer.

The Bank have given no rationale for this change. The current working arrangements has resulted in record profits for the Bank over the last number of years showing the benefits and productivity of remote working. There is no justification for this change and the decision should be revisited with any possible change fully reflective of the views of staff.

This announcement follows shortly after AIB main competitor Bank of Ireland mandated its workforce to return to the office a minimum of eight days a month. 

It seems inconceivable to think both Banks made these decisions independent of each other.

For AIB, a  highly successful business to not fully understand the labour market and to make significant workplace changes without prior consultation with their staff indicates real cultural deficits within its decision-making processes.

This is a regressive step which has the potential to create unforeseen future problems for both banks.

The FSU intend to fully reflect the views of our members and will continue to hold both banks to account for their actions. “

END.