AIB’s return-to-office diktat ‘outrageous’
AIB’s return-to-office diktat 'outrageous' - The Labour Party
- Two years after branch closure slap-down, bank tries it on again
Labour’s Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash TD has criticised AIB’s unilateral decision that will force staff to return to their designated office three days a week, without any consultation with employees and their union, the Financial Services Union.
The decision, according to the union, removes previous flexibility for staff to work from local branches or hubs, forcing staff into lengthy commutes to Dublin from across the country.
Deputy Nash said:
“Two years after AIB were slapped down and forced into an embarrassing u-turn on threatened branch closures, their leadership is trying it on again.
“This is unacceptable behaviour from one of Ireland’s pillar banks, just a matter of weeks after the State sold its remaining stake in the institution.
“Without any engagement with staff or the Financial Services Union, AIB has imposed a policy by way of diktat that will drag workers back to their designated office three days a week with no flexibility.
“This move effectively scraps the use of local hubs and branches as work bases — a practical and popular approach that has worked well for both staff, the bank ans undoubtedly customers, in terms of services. Some employees are now facing daily commutes of several hours, or being forced to stay overnight in Dublin just to do their job. That is not a reasonable or sustainable way to treat staff in 2025.
“What is galling is also that decision flies in the face of the bank’s claims on sustainability. AIB has styled itself as a leader on climate responsibility, yet it’s falling to meet the most basic thresholds. It is now asking staff to add thousands of car and train journeys every week — just so they can clock in at head office. This is green-washing of the highest order.
“We in Labour fully support the Financial Services Union and the workers affected. AIB must stop treating its staff like an afterthought and return to the table with the union for meaningful engagement.
“This is about fair treatment and decent jobs. The bank must immediately reverse this decision and commit to proper consultation with its workers and their representatives.”