(Kashmir Re’Chords Exclusive)

Voluntary Retirement Trend  is surging in Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited!  Over 155 senior employees have  already applied for voluntary retirement or sought resignations between October 2023 and October 2024, highlighting severe issues within the bank’s workforce.

A growing sense of dissatisfaction is gripping its middle-rung employees, including Branch Managers, Senior Managers, and Chief Managers, mostly in the age group of 50 to 60.  Talking to some of these individuals, it was noticed that they  are increasingly seeking voluntary retirement to escape what they perceive as a hostile work environment plagued by nepotism, unrealistic targets, stressful conditions and an indifferent top management. The bank’s leadership, comfortably insulated in their Corporate or Zonal Office chambers, has been accused of fostering favouritism while disregarding the well-being of those working on the ground.

  In a region where unemployment remains a pressing issue, the exodus of seasoned employees from the J&K Bank seems paradoxical. However, the pressures they face are significant. Rather than addressing the legitimate concerns of their junior colleagues, the senior management has reportedly exacerbated the situation by setting impossible deadlines, promoting personal interests, and terrorizing staff with threats of “severe action’’ for failing to meet the targets. The environment has become so stifling that many  more are desperate to leave.

According to figures obtained by Kashmir Re’Chords, over 155 senior employees, predominantly Managers and Senior Managers, have  already applied for voluntary retirement or sought resignation between October 2023 and October 2024. While banking sectors across India equally  face similar challenges, the situation in J&K Bank, however,  appears particularly acute. Employees without influential connections or “godfathers” within the organization are repeatedly assigned to far-flung, inaccessible locations, making it nearly impossible to maintain work-life balance. Women employees, despite their capabilities, also face systemic discrimination, with none having ever been appointed as Chairperson of the bank since its establishment before 1947. Some women employees were even recently denied promotion, despite their capabilities. They are now either sidelined or forced to work under otherwise `incapable’ colleagues, now their seniors!

Inequity in Postings

The inequities in employee treatment are stark. Well-connected officers are allowed to remain in comfortable postings for years in coveted locations such as Kashmir, Jammu, or Delhi-NCR regions, while others are shunted to remote areas under severe conditions. Figures available with  Kashmir Rechords reveal that  there are numerous examples of officers, shielded by the patronage of top management, who have remained in their preferred branches for over five to seven years at a stretch, be that in Kashmir, Jammu or Delhi-NCR. Meanwhile, those committed to a fair work culture but lacking the right connections find themselves transferred to distant locations, separated from their families and forced to work in stressful environments.

 Protection to Backdoor Appointees

At the same time, a parallel issue looms large over the bank—backdoor appointments. Before 2019, over 3,000 individuals reportedly entered the bank through political favouritism, bypassing standard recruitment procedures. Many of these Assistant Banking Associates continue to work without any fear of consequences, protected by the very same top management accused of forcing others into early retirement. Despite the involvement of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the exposure of this scandal, little has changed for those employees who entered through these questionable channels.

As voluntary retirement applications increase, one question remains—are the senior leaders, especially the CEO of J&K Bank, fully aware of the growing unrest within their ranks?  And if so, will they take action to remedy the situation, or will the list of disillusioned employees continue to grow unchecked?

Note: Kashmir Rechords urges all affected employees of J&K Bank, who have applied for or are considering voluntary retirement, to share their experiences with us at: support@kashmir-rechords.com or kashmirrechords@gmail.com. Your stories will help the top management of J&K Bank better understand the reasons behind the growing number of voluntary retirement seekers. Kashmir Rechords pledges complete confidentiality and assures that your identity will remain undisclosed