Fri, 29 Aug 2025

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 Bank apologises for firing staff in email asking to return laptops

A workers union says the email sent in error caused panic and distress.
ANZ bank has apologized to staff who received automated emails informing them they had been fired, with some employees being asked to return their laptops as part of the process. The bank's retail banking executive Bruce Rush acknowledged that it was not their intention to share sensitive news in such a way and said the emails were sent prematurely due to an error. The Financial Sector Union criticized the move, saying it caused panic and distress among staff and was a result of the company pushing through changes too quickly without consulting with employees. ANZ has since stopped sending the emails and spoken to staff personally, with chief executive Nuno Matos describing the incident as "indefensible" and "deeply disappointing".
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