Page 46 - Banking Finance June 2025

ARTICLE

The Policy of

Push

"If all you have is a hammer,
everything looks like a nail."

Rohtash Singh
Faculty
(ZLC Hyderabad)
Union Bank of India

There has been a noticeable rise in suicides among bankers in India. Many of these cases are
attributed to the immense pressure to meet unrealistic targets and the stress of handling large
financial responsibilities. The demanding work environment, coupled with the fear of repercussions
for not meeting targets, has been a significant factor. Instances of harassment by superiors and
unrealistic expectations have been frequently cited in suicide notes.

T here has been a noticeable rise in suicides among working hours and aggressive sales tactics. In the first

bankers in India. Many of these cases are attributed
quarter, the results were remarkable. The bank saw a
to the immense pressure to meet unrealistic
targets and the stress of handling large financial significant increase in new accounts, loan approvals, and
overall revenue. The management celebrated these
responsibilities. The demanding work environment, coupled achievements, attributing them to the boosted morale and
with the fear of repercussions for not meeting targets, has best work culture in the bank.
been a significant factor. Instances of harassment by
superiors and unrealistic expectations have been frequently However, as the policy continued, the initial enthusiasm
cited in suicide notes. began to wane. Junior employees, who were once
motivated by the challenge, started to feel the strain of
Let us call this pressure tactics as the "Policy of Push", which constant pressure. The relentless demands led to burnout,
has emerged as a strategy where top management exerts decreased job satisfaction, and a rise in passive-aggressive
increasing pressure on junior employees to enhance behavior. Employees began to resent the management's
performance. Initially, this approach can yield impressive approach, feeling undervalued and overworked. The once
results, but over time, it often leads to diminishing returns collaborative and supportive workplace culture deteriorated.
and a loss of trust and acceptance among employees. Junior employees, feeling the weight of unrealistic
expectations, became less engaged and more resistant to
Consider the case of a mid-sized bank that implemented the directives. The quality of customer service declined as
Policy of Push to boost its quarterly performance. The top employees, overwhelmed by their own stress, struggled to
management set ambitious targets and demanded that maintain a positive demeanour. The bank's reputation
junior employees meet these goals through extended suffered as customer complaints increased.

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