RBI directs banks to implement mandatory leaves policy for employees posted in sensitive positions/areas

Circular No. RBI/2021-22/70 DoR.ORG.REC.31/21.06.017/2021-22, Dated July 9, 2021

RBI has advised banks to implement a mandatory leave policy for its employees working in any commercial bank or any cooperative banks who are employees posted in sensitive positions or areas of operation. Under the mandatory leave policy, the employee will be compulsorily sent on a leave of not less than 10 working days in a single spell every year and that should be a surprise element for employees. RBI has further directed that banks shall ensure that the employees, while on ‘mandatory leave’, do not have access to any physical or virtual resources related to their work responsibilities, with the exception of internal/ corporate email which is usually available to all employees for general purposes.

Now Banks would be required to prepare a list of sensitive positions to be covered under ‘mandatory leave’ requirements and the list shall be reviewed periodically. Implementation of this policy shall be reviewed under the supervisory process.