Senior executives in the retail division of ANZ were unexpectedly notified of pending job redundancies through an automated email instructing them to return their work laptops. This communication arrived before any formal notice regarding their layoffs had been issued.
An ANZ spokesperson expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, some senior staff in Australia received automated emails before we could inform them about potential changes to their employment. We sincerely apologize for this error and have reached out to the affected employees.”
Bruce Rishin, the interim retail bank chief, reiterated this apology in a statement shared with the Sydney Morning Herald. He emphasized, “It was never our intention to deliver such sensitive information in this manner. I extend my heartfelt apologies. Regrettably, these emails indicated an exit date for some employees before we had the chance to discuss their situations.”
The Finance Sector Union attributed the incident to the “chaotic pace of change” under the leadership of ANZ CEO Nuno Matos. They argued that cost-cutting should not come at the expense of employee dignity. FSU president Wendy Streets criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “It’s unacceptable for workers to learn about job cuts through a poorly executed email rather than through a respectful conversation. This approach is devastating for employees and their families. ANZ must improve its communication and treatment of staff.”