‘This email confirms that your current position will no longer exist’

ANZ bank has been criticised by sending an email to staff saying these were ‘exciting times’ as it told them their current roles will no longer exist.

ANZ’s restructure has left staff underwhelmed and fearing for their jobs. Picture: Hollie Adams

ANZ Bank management has painted its latest restructure as an “exciting chapter” for the business.

But an email sent to staff also told them their jobs may no longer be around.

ANZ announced in May this year it was implementing a new way of working so that it can respond more quickly to changing customer expectations and continue to improve efficiency.

On Thursday, the company spoke to staff in the head office of its Australia Division, mostly based in Melbourne, about what the restructure means and how to apply for roles in the new structure, an ANZ spokesman said.

A man claiming to an ANZ team leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity said his workplace was almost deserted by 2pm on Thursday after the announcement and the email sent by ANZ Group executive Fred Ohlsson.

The team leader said colleagues were “very upset” and the majority of them left for the day after the restructure update.

“The morale and engagement after the meetings today was horrible. It actually looked like we left a funeral,” he told news.com.au.

“In my team and by 2pm everyone left for the day. People are walking around talking to each other. Some people said they would put their new home plans on hold.”

An ANZ spokesman said: “While we expect around 200 roles may ultimately be made redundant, we will be working hard to find those affected different roles in other parts of the business. This represents less than 1.5 per cent of staff in our Australia division”.

Ohlsson’s email tried to allay staff fears with an upbeat tone but conceded that some team members would be concerned about the changes.

“I know for some of our teams, there is a great deal of excitement that we are moving to the next stage, but I’m also mindful that there are others who are concerned about what’s next,” the email said.

“This email confirms that your current position will no longer exist once we move into our New Ways of Working structure. I strongly encourage you to express an interest in the new positions created in the new structure. (Please don’t forward this email, as it may provide some confusion).”

ANZ is not alone in the finance industry to undertake a significant restructure in recent years. AMP, NAB, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and Suncorp have all regularly undertaken similar restructures where staff were forced to reapply for their positions.

ANZ’s restructure will overhaul its management structure, making it more “agile”. It will also restructure the Australia Division into 150 teams to make it more flexible.

“There are no changes for customer-facing staff in our branches, call centres and business centres," the spokesman said.

“We are working closely with all our head office people, including those on leave, to make sure they understand how the changes impact them and what role in the new structure they are best suited.”

The changes will be implemented progressively until around April, 2018.

Originally published as ‘This email confirms that your current position will no longer exist’