Sat May 17 14:08:52 UTC 2025: **Madras High Court: Bank Transfer Policies Must Respect Employee Well-being, Family Needs**

**Chennai, May 17, 2025** – The Madras High Court has ruled that Union Bank of India (UBI) must revise its staff transfer policies to better protect the well-being of its employees, especially women, and to take into account their family responsibilities and safety concerns. The ruling came in response to writ petitions challenging UBI’s transfer policies.

Justice C.V. Karthikeyan stated that transferring employees across states without considering the well-being of their children, their medical conditions, family responsibilities, or safety in the new workplace could violate Article 21 of the Constitution, which protects human dignity. The court emphasized the need to balance administrative requirements with employee well-being.

The court concurred with arguments that UBI’s policies disproportionately affect women employees, who often face challenges related to family commitments. The judge highlighted a 2021 Supreme Court verdict emphasizing that seemingly equal laws can be discriminatory if they fail to consider unequal circumstances.

While the Union Ministry of Finance has previously instructed nationalized banks to prioritize transferring women employees to nearby locations and ensure safety, the court noted that UBI must implement a transfer policy that aligns with these guidelines.

The court suggested several potential improvements to UBI’s policy, including providing longer notice periods before transfers, offering counseling services, exploring transfers within the same zone instead of across the country, and establishing an effective grievance redressal cell with a majority of women members. The judge also suggested considering exemptions for employees with children at crucial educational stages and allowing regular visits home for those transferred away from their place of residence.

While acknowledging the limitations of court intervention in bank policies, the judge directed UBI to revisit its policy to prevent indirect discrimination and promote equality. The court stressed that the well-being and quality of service provided by employees are crucial for the bank’s success.

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