Bank of Ireland revised hybrid working rules to require staff to work a minimum of two days per week, or eight days per month, in an office from September 1. The Financial Services Union instructed members to ignore the return-to-office deadline, arguing the change breached agreed procedures and was imposed unilaterally. The union said the bank failed to engage in meaningful discussions and that staff felt frustrated and ignored. The FSU referred the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission for conciliation. Bank of Ireland contends hybrid arrangements fall outside collective bargaining agreements.
The FSU claimed Bank of Ireland's "unilateral" decision to change working practices breaches agreed procedures. The union has also argued the bank failed to engage meaningfully in discussions on the issue. In the latest escalation on Wednesday, FSU general secretary John O'Connell said staff felt frustrated, angry and ignored by senior management. "The FSU have been left with no option but to refer this matter to the WRC," he said.
The WRC provides a forum for conciliation conferences under an independent chair in situations where direct talks between workers and employer break down. Participation in that process is voluntary, for all sides. The FSU said Bank of Ireland management had not engaged in "meaningful negotiations" with the FSU on their proposed changes to their hybrid working model. "Despite some progress being made, the bank have refused to engage on the main issues of concern," he said.
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