After facing backlash regarding its new rule for the festival season, the Union Bank of India has decided to withdraw its circular regarding the special ‘Navratri dress code’, which made it mandatory for employees to adhere to a colour-coordinated dress code.
The circular regarding the Navratri dress code was signed by the General Manager of the bank, AR Raghavendra. The circular stated that all the staff and on-site vendors of the Union Bank of India will have to adhere to a daily colour dress code for the festival from October 7 to 15.
To make sure that all the employees comply with this dress code, the general manager stated that defaulters will be fined Rs 200 and will not be made a part of the daily group photos. This notice was released on social media and garnered a lot of criticism.
The notification states, “On October 14, there will be a ‘Chaat Party’ and staffers have been advised not to carry their lunch boxes, besides indoor games for staff and executives, post-lunch from 3 p.m. onwards. We request you all to make yourself available and not to keep any meeting.”
AIUBEF General Secretary Jagannath Chakraborty expressed his displeasure with the issuing of such a notice, stating releasing a circular regarding a religious festival, imposing a dress code, and charging a penalty fee require permission from the top management positions.
The general secretary said, “This has never happened in the 100 years’ history of the Bank. He should immediately withdraw the circular. We believe he did not obtain the permission… However, whether he was granted permission or not, we hereby lodge a strong protest against such wishful & dictatorial action of Raghavendra.”
Condemning the move by UBI General Manager, Chakraborty said, “We demand fixing of accountability upon him and also for appropriate action for using Bank’s logo, platform, etc. to accomplish his personal desire by abusing official power.”
He reiterated that the celebration of religious festivals is private to each employee and the bank management does not have the authority to enforce any kind of practices or dress code on them,
