Page 91 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

effort. He was motivated by the enthusiasm and engagement of entire
branch staff in the recovery drive. He got influenced by the environment
he was put into, even if for a couple of days.

We achieved very good results during the next 6 days. Met many
borrowers, impressed upon them for recovery, got their loan balance
confirmations, got whatever cash they handed over and issued them the
receipts on the spot. We even had to threaten some of the defaulters.
They were picked up and brought to the branch, only to be let off when
their family gave an undertaking to repay in a specified time. Even the
driver of the jeep was very happy on the overall involvement of all staff
and the results thereof. The recovery drive was a huge success and
created an impact of seriousness for the recovery on part of the bank as
well as the borrowers.

We had set an example for optimal utilization of resources for other
branches.

Repercussions were many
The driver returned and divulged that he used to take rest during the day
time and agreed not to claim overtime on insistence of the Branch Head.
Of course, he was considered a fool to have agreed to such a proposal
when he stayed out of station and worked in odd hours. The fellow
workers instigated him saying that the bank had to pay the overtime. The
driver was now in altogether different environment and got influenced
by his colleagues where he was permanently stationed.

He was taken in by their justification and lodged a claim for overtime with
the Zonal office, defying our understanding. The Zonal Manager asked
for my explanation for paying the overtime. The amount claimed by the
driver (equivalent to my two weeks salary then) was mandated to be
recovered from my salary.

I explained the adjustments made in working hours of the driver to make

88 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole