ANZ email error tells staff of ‘exit date’ before they knew they were losing their jobs

ANZ Bank has made an embarrassing email error, accidentally informing some staff members who were to be made redundant about the process for returning their laptops before the affected people had been told they were losing their jobs.

The acting group executive in charge of ANZ’s retail business, Bruce Rush, wrote to staff on Wednesday to apologise after automated emails were sent to some senior managers in the division “ahead of schedule”.

The automated emails in question informed affected staff – who were running substantial teams within the retail bank – about what to do with bank-owned technology, such as laptops.

“Unfortunately, these emails indicate an exit date for some of our colleagues before we’ve been able to share their outcome with them,” Rush wrote.

“It was not our intention to share such sensitive news with you in this way, and I apologise unconditionally.

“I deeply regret the distress this situation may have caused.”

Rush, who did not send the automated emails in question, said the bank was “committed to treating every colleague with dignity and respect” during a restructuring process, and it was bringing forward “outcome conversations” with affected staff.

It is not clear how many senior managers were impacted, but the error affected “Group 2” and “Group 3″ managers, who are relatively senior people in the bank and are responsible for functions and teams.

The error comes during a period of change at the smallest of the big four lenders, as new chief executive Nuno Matos looks to improve performance.

There have already been significant moves in ANZ’s retail bank, with long-serving former retail banking chief Maile Carnegie leaving last month after a nine-year stint.

Rush, who is acting in the role previously held by Carnegie, had recently announced changes to the leadership structure of the retail bank, and that structure became effective this week.

Matos, who took the reins in May, has made it clear that retail banking is one of his top priorities and that he will update the market on his strategy for the bank at a briefing in October.

President of the Finance Sector Union Wendy Streets on Thursday said ANZ had not yet briefed the union about the incident and accused the banking giant of creating “panic and distress” among its workforce.

“This is a disgusting way for workers to learn about job cuts – through a botched email instead of a respectful conversation,” Streets said.

“These errors are the direct result of the chaotic pace of change being forced through by ANZ’s new CEO. Speed and cost-cutting cannot come at the expense of dignity and respect for workers.”

An ANZ spokesperson said the bank deeply regretted the mistake.

“Unfortunately, some senior employees in Australia received automated emails prior to being informed of potential changes to their employment,” the spokesperson said.

“We are committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect, particularly when implementing changes to our organisational structure. We deeply regret the mistake made and have apologised unconditionally to our staff impacted.”

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