Finsec organisers are reporting an increasing number of health and safety problems in Westpac branches, particularly related to workplace stress. These incidents have three things in common; they are often happening in rural branches, they are often being exacerbated by the pressures of sales targets and understaffing, and the bank is often compounding the problem by responding slowly to concerns when they are raised.
One of many such examples is the case of Abby Hemopo, who was made redundant from her role as a consultant at Pahiatua Westpac branch. Abby is currently taking a personal grievance against the bank with the help of one of Finsec’s legal organisers. Abby is alleging that as a result of the bank’s acts and omissions she has suffered stress-related ill-health including sleep deprivation, nausea, and anxiety. Due to additional duties and constant disruption at work without a concurrent reduction in targets, Abby has lost an opportunity to earn performance related bonuses and pay rises, and has now been made redundant.
There are a range of issues in Abby’s case, which is still yet to be heard, but one issue for her that many workers face was understaffing and overwork:
“The problem was that such a small branch had a manager leave and three experience team members all take parental leave in a short space of time. Our branch only had two people with experience out of six. I was pulled here, there and everywhere helping everybody out, and my own role was suffering,” said Abby.
Abby and her colleagues raised their concerns formally with the bank about the stress and pressure they were facing on regular basis between December 2005 and August 2006 when Abby was diagnosed as having work-related stress.
“They [the bank] did not listen, they were not interested in listening. There were all sorts of excuses afterwards. Well, we did tell them. It’s not our fault if they did not take us seriously.”
Abby took stress leave. But when she came back she found she was being made redundant following a review that found her branch had not been performing and recommended disestablishing her role.
“The reason I was made redundant was because of them, not because of me. I paid the price for their poor management. I think it is appalling. They say ‘we want you to tell us, we want a healthy environment’, but they were absolutely disinterested.”
The bank is now trying to resolve Abby’s case, and currently there is some constructive dialogue. However to ensure this happens in other cases, people need to speak up when they see concerns. Just because workplace stress is becoming more common does not make it acceptable. All employers are required to get rid of the causes of stress on their workplace when notified of them. Sales targets, understaffing and overwork can all be causes of workplace stress. If you think it is a problem on your worksite contact you local Finsec organiser to collectively organise a solution.
“The bank has a responsibility to make sure our work environment is safe.”
(thanks to Memory Motel for the photo)
I am currently experiencing almost a copy-cat situation @ my branch in Waihi! The work-place stress is so extreme for me right now that my health is also suffering i.e. sleep deprivation/anxiety & constant fatigue. So much so, that I have been reduced to tears & today consulted my local G.P.
Without sufficient staff we cannot provide the minimum level of adequate customer service and yet we are still “hounded” about Sales targets etc.
My Branch Mgr has begged & pleaded for Relief staff but upper management do not appear to be making any reasonable effort to resolve this crisis. Our many requests have been met with absolute disinterest as well.
Thanks for your message Marie. It seems Westpac is not listening to the serious concerns about staffing in your branch. Further cuts would plainly make the situation worse.
The best way of making the bank listen to us is to act collectively. All staff need to speak with one voice to show how strongly you feel about the unsafe situation in your branch. A Finsec organiser will be in touch with you to assist with this.