A viral internal email has accused RS Ajith, Chennai Zonal Head of UCO Bank, of fostering a toxic and dictatorial workplace culture marked by insensitivity and abusive behaviour. The email details multiple instances where Ajith allegedly denied leave to employees during critical family emergencies, including flat refusals when a branch manager’s mother died and when others faced harrowing hospitalisation cases within their families.
The email’s blunt recounting, such as telling an employee whose mother passed, “Everyone’s mother dies, don’t be dramatic”, has led to widespread condemnation on social media, with calls for regulatory scrutiny from the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance.
Examples of Crisis Denial
The complaint recounts moments when employees were allegedly pressured to work despite losses or medical crises. One employee seeking leave after his mother’s death was allegedly met with threats of leave without pay. Another was told to abandon his hospitalised one-year-old daughter to report to work immediately or face penalties, according to the viral email.
When a branch officer’s wife suffered a life-threatening condition requiring emergency hospitalisation, the zonal head allegedly reacted with derogatory comments and refused leave. This pattern of behaviour exemplifies a toxic environment where human needs are secondary to rigid discipline.
Public and Regulatory Response
Social media has erupted in outrage over the email, branding the behaviour as “institutional cruelty” and “emotional harassment” camouflaged as discipline. Many users have urged UCO Bank leadership and Indian financial regulators to act promptly and transparently.
Despite the uproar, neither UCO Bank nor its Chennai zonal office has issued a formal response. The incident has reignited conversations about employee welfare, managerial accountability, and the urgent need to reform workplace cultures in public sector banks and beyond.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian asserts that leadership demands not only discipline but empathy and respect for personal dignity, especially in moments of grief or crisis. Organisations must cultivate compassionate environments where employees feel valued beyond their productivity. This controversy should prompt banks and institutions worldwide to reevaluate their human resource policies and prioritise kindness alongside efficiency.
