IBOA - Promoting Equal Opportunities for All

One of the key objectives of IBOA is to promote and secure equality of opportunity and treatment for all staff working in the financial services sector. At a recent Equality Conference, Union General Secretary, Larry Broderick, noted that although the sector is still profitable "progress on equality issues has not been as significant as it should be. Irish banking should be taking the lead on gender equality, work-life balance, disability and migrant workers' rights.'

IBOA is committed to advancing the equality agenda, wherever and whenever possible – both on a collective basis for large groups of members and on an individual basis for members suffering personal discrimination. Among the recent cases taken by IBOA are negotiations on behalf of part-time workers, access to reduced working hours, carers' leave, maternity leave, force majeure leave and promotional opportunities – as well as individual claims of discrimination on the basis of disability and age.

IBOA will continue to strive to eliminate discrimination and push employers to be proactive in this area. The Union's recent successes have included:

  • full pay for maternity leave in Republic of Ireland up to 18 weeks in AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank (a claim for full pay for the full duration of maternity leave is ongoing);
  • agreement on AIB's Choices programme;
  • claims for 'reasonable accommodation' (making workplace accessible) for a number of disabled workers;
  • case of harassment against a gay man.
  • equal pay for a manager.
  • access to a reduced hours working arrangement.
  • reversal of refusal to grant parental leave.
  • case of gender-based bullying.
  • redress for unequal treatment of a migrant worker.
  • permanency for a fixed term contract worker.
  • case involving poor performance rating given to a job-sharer.
  • redress for racist remarks against a worker.

IBOA has also commissioned a study on the Experiences of Migrant Workers in Irish Banking.

IBOA is promoting gender equality through provision of training through the Women at Work Skillnet which produced a DVD, Skills in the City.


For additional information, please contact Louise O'Donnell or Anna O'Doherty in IBOA House at the phone number at the bottom of the screen or e-mail: louise.o'donnell@iboa.ie or anna.odoherty@iboa.ie