While the country struggles to breathe amidst the new corona virus wave, due to the shortage of oxygen, the banks have started reducing the working hours for their employees to protect them from infection. After Maharashtra, now the banks in the state of Tamil Nadu are reducing their work hours. As per the new schedule, the will work from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The decision will be effective from April 26 to April 30 for the time being. Depending on the situation, the banks will decide whether to continue with the new timings post April 30 or not.
Keeping in view the worsening situation of the country and the fact that the new strain is more contagious, the State Level Bankers’ Committee-Tamil Nadu (SLBC-TN),has issued certain guidelines. The Committee has stated that the cluster-based functioning of branches have to be undertaken in consultation with the local administration, wherever possible.
The banks have been asked to manage the crowd and deploy security personnel and seek help from the local police, if needed. The branches are free to escalate the matter to the Lead District Manager whenever the need is felt. According to the statement of the (SLBC-TN), the banking staff have also been urged to make no-contact transaction with the customers.
The statement further said that pregnant women members of the staff or those with physical difficulties should be allowed to work from home if possible.
Some other steps taken include suspension of the Aadhar enrolment centre, mandatory assurance of alternative delivery channels for cash, allowing all eligible employees to get vaccinated, abiding by all the regulations laid down by ICMR and WHO, and educating the customers to make use of alternate delivery channels.
