Published on July 15, 2016 by · 36 Comments
An Abuja-based Legal Practitioner, Mr Frank Tietie, has accused the management of Diamond Bank Plc of unfair labour practices against some recently sacked workers of the bank.
In a letter dated June 29, and addressed to the Managing Director of the lender, Tietie said that the workers were “rudely” informed of their sack by e-mail on May 27.
He said that the action breached the provisions of Section 20 of the Labour Act on redundancy as well as “other labour regulations, standards and best
practices”.

The lawyer alleged that 400 workers were affected, but the bank confirmed the sack of only 200 in a statement on May 27 .
‎According to Tietie, Diamond Bank goes further to unilaterally deduct supposed ‎long-term loans from the bank accounts of the affected workers against earlier agreed loan tenures.
‎‎‎He said such an action was unbecoming of a Nigerian bank against its staff, which was yet to recover from the trauma and shock of the unexpected termination of their employments.
“By that action, they have been further subjected to the punishment of being suddenly thrown into serious financial dire straits.
“This is despite the unblemished and meritorious services they had rendered to the bank as committed and dedicated staff for periods ranging from one to 20 years.”
He gave the bank 15 working days from the day of receipt of the letter to enter into negotiations with representatives of the affected workers or face legal action.
When contacted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Head of the bank’s Media Relations Unit, Mr Ikechukwu Omeife, reaffirmed the lender’s claim that only 200 workers were affected.
Omeife explained that the sack was part of a rightsizing recently undertaken by the bank to “optimise cost and enhance value for the shareholders at the end of the business year”.
He said that the affected 200 employees were those whose performance records were lower than the minimum required to drive the bank’s strategic growth plan.
Omeife wondered why the lawyer singled out Diamond Bank for attack over an exercise that was a normal practice in the corporate world and which other banks had also undertaken.
The spokesman denied knowledge of the alleged loan deductions but said it was also a standard practice in the case of sacked workers with loan obligations to their employers.
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/07/15/diamond-bank-issued-15-day-ultimatum-over-sacked-workers/

Lalasticlala ayaf come again. Fp pls

Diamond bank was singled out because :

-it is the only bank that did not pay the affected Staff the benefit due to them.

-The bank lied about the reason for the termination of the staff appointments. #integrity

I am coming.... The person below has something to say

Diamond Bank lacks integrity, pay dem their severance package. Am so surprised that a bank that preaches and have INTEGRITY as one of its core values lacks it. Do d needful so ur name won't be dragged to the mud.

Diamond Bank again, na wa, this is becoming too much of a bank, we have to be careful

This is unbecoming of a bank. All other banks and companies that downsized settled their staff, why can't the do the needful than lieing against the staff that served the bank judiciously.
My pain in the country is that unions that are supposed to fight for staff right has been brided and so they are quiet. Nigeria corruption has no limit.

Diamond bank; liquidity crisis, Diamond bank; sacks 400 staff without severance pay, Diamond bank; shares sink further. Hmmmmm...... Too much for one bank. Closing my acct ASAP.

This is cruel and height of oppression. They thought they wont be caught. Nemesis will soon catch up with them. Why is the spokesman denying knowledge of not knowing ex staff's account are debited for loans if he claims is the practice. Am sure if diamond bank had done the right thing rhey wont pick on them. Pls pay what u owe ur employees. #injustice to one Nigeria is injustice to all.

Dis is becoming too much. Can dey just pay affected staffs

Diamond Bank, do the needful. If you could take the step of laying off staff, please take the step of paying them off too, or is the bank close to being in distress? It is sad that some bank MDs act like pharaoh and think they can go scot free. DB MD, honour labour act and avoid the reputational risk your bank is playing with.
Solidarity for ever, solidarity for ever!!!!!!

Uzoma u and ur management team suck. If u can't handle the bank, pls resign and let someone capable take over. If u sack cos u want to downsize we understand but u need to follow due process. Kindly pay their benefits. I heard he is arrogant and he dey smoke weed lol. How can such a person represent.

If the bank can lie this much about something of this magnitude, I wonder the endless lies they tell customers. Customers beware!!!!!

This is why I always advice people to evaluate their career.. Visit my career blog regularly and know how to evaluate your career and stop being a corporate slave.

Visit www.careercrew..com.ng/2016/06/how-to-evaluate-your-career.html?m=0

You can also check NL profile for my twitter handle and follow me if you wish. .i follow back too.

I reckon that this bank should be taken over by CBN just like Skye due to its management deficiencies.

Onslaught:
I reckon that this bank should be taken over by CBN just like Skye due to its management deficiencies.

gbam