Sometimes it's personal!
Issued on June 01, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Cathy has worked in the bank for ten years. She is a loyal worker and has consistently achieved a middle rating of 'Good' in her performance appraisals. At a performance appraisal interview, her Appraiser told her that this year she would be getting a rating of 'Requires Improvement.'
When she asked why this was the case, he told her that business wasn't great, she hadn't met all her targets and he couldn't justify giving her any more.
Apparently there had been a meeting of appraisers held to examine all the indicative ratings and, following this, a number of people were marked down.
Cathy was very unhappy as she had worked extremely hard, even under difficult circumstances. She sought advice from her IBOA Executive Committee member.
Following this advice she told her appraiser that she wasn't prepared to accept the rating and asked him to review the situation.
She pointed out that she had met most of the objectives. Any shortfall in targets was due to factors outside her control - like the economic downturn and the collapse in sales of some products.
But her appraiser refused to change the rating but advised her to concentrate on selling a few more credit cards to ensure that she recover her higher rating next year.
Cathy was really upset about this outcome. She had worked out of her skin. Even when customers had verbally abused her, she had taken it calmly and tried to repair customer relations.
Although she was initially reluctant to appeal her rating since she prefers the quiet life - she knew that she deserved more than a 'Requires Improvement.' It was unfair and also very demotivating for her as an individual.
With assistance, advice and representation from IBOA, Cathy appealed her rating through the formal procedures and following a hearing by a Senior Manager the rating of 'Requires Improvement' was overturned and Cathy got the rating she deserved.
This is a typical personal case taken on behalf of an IBOA member. One of the major benefits of being a Union member is that members know that they have someone to turn to in times of need.
In this particular case Cathy did not have to appeal the case to an outside third party for intervention but sometimes this is necessary to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
In many other instances it may not even be necessary to bring an issue through formal procedures. IBOA can manage to get the case resolved informally with Human Resources or Employee Relations.
IBOA provides a range of support services to its members both in the workplace and beyond. Its core focus, of course, is to ensure fair treatment of members in the workplace - in terms of pay, working conditions, security of employment, health and safety, annual leave entitlements, dignity and respect, promotional opportunities and so on.
IBOA pursues this agenda through collective engagement with management on behalf of many members. IBOA also pursues this agenda on an individual basis - where a member feels that he/she has been treated unfairly - by taking personal cases with due respect to the member's confidentiality.
Much of the hidden work done by IBOA involves assisting individual members who have a 'personal case' - involving either an individual grievance with the employer or where an individual member is facing disciplinary action.
Grievances can range from non-payment of an allowance to being bullied or discriminated against. Confidentiality is paramount for IBOA in all personal cases.
Over the years IBOA has gained a wealth of experience and skills in advising members and handling their personal cases.
We continue to build upon this experience through specific personal case training for activists representing members.
In the past year in the financial services sector there is evidence of an increase in the following types of situations in personal cases:
• attempts to manage staff out of the employment,
• breaches of procedures,
• stress and pressure,
• equality issues,
• transfers,
• redeployment,
• role changes, and
• use of e-mail and internet.
Any members who need advice or support should contact their Bank District Secretary, Executive Committee Member or IBOA Head Office.
