Staff Pressures & Strain

In 2021, the IBCB commissioned Karian and Box to design and conduct the second staff culture survey, now re-branded as the éist staff culture survey. The survey was conducted during the Spring of 2021 a period characterised by immense pressures for many bank customers, staff and the wider economy due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, there were a number of material announcements from IBCB member banks during this period which will result in changes to organisational structures and the wider banking market in Ireland. 10,648 staff participated in the survey, which is almost 50% of all staff across our member banks.

Specific areas where the Irish sector scores lower than the FS benchmark relate primarily to the more operational aspects of internal bank culture – staff have cited bureaucracy, inefficient processes and procedures as areas that need to be addressed. The survey results point to a need for senior leaders to do more to really role-model the right behaviours – particularly as regards ways of working such as the need to manage workload, long hours and the right to disconnect.

The survey also looked to assess overall wellbeing and causes of strain for staff, particularly relevant in the context of some of the pressures on staff as a result of the pandemic, including remote working, home schooling, financial and health stresses. 53% of bank staff reported that, in the past 6 months, they have felt under constant strain at work – concerningly this is 10 points above the global norm and a vital area to address.

The results of the éist Bank Staff Culture survey will shape the areas of focus in our work programme. We intend conducting this survey on two-year intervals.