Media releases

Due to massive cuts to jobs and work functions at Westpac in the past few years, the bank has been operating with insufficient staff. 

Finance Sector Union (FSU) National Secretary Julia Angrisano said remaining staff have been directed to pick up the extra work and forced to work longer hours to meet unrealistic demands. 

“If implemented correctly, time-keeping systems can expose what is really happening in workplaces across Westpac,” said Ms Angrisano. 

“We have widespread reports from staff that working unreasonable additional hours and unpaid overtime has become normal in many areas due to relentless job cuts.

“We challenge Westpac to ensure time-keeping systems are implemented in a way that properly identifies the excessive hours staff have been forced to do and actively work with our union to address this.” 

Ms Angrisano additionally warned time-keeping systems should not be used to put greater pressure on staff who are already overworked and close to burn out.

“Big banks have reaped the benefits of implementing a culture that encourages and expects workers to perform high levels of unpaid work as a career development tool and a way to demonstrate their commitment to the company,” she said. 

“This is a systemic cultural issue of deliberate understaffing as a way of cutting costs at the expense of workers. 

“These excessive hours of work have a profound impact on the lives of our members, affecting their health, their relationships, the time available to spend with their families and their overall quality of life. Working hard should not be equated with working excessive, unreasonable, unpaid hours.”

The FSU has this week commenced negotiations with Westpac for a new Enterprise Agreement for staff, which provides Westpac with a further opportunity to actively work with the union to address the systemic understaffing at the bank.  

Media contact: Stephanie Lim – 0434 160 521