By Ms Poppy Sharma, CHRO, Central Bank of India
In a significant move to foster gender equality and empower women in the workplace, Central Bank of India has launched a series of innovative programs aimed at supporting the career development of its female employees. Recognizing the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, the Bank is committed to ensuring that women can thrive and reach their full potential.
Among the key initiatives is the “Women’s Leadership Training Program”, designed to equip women with essential skills to navigate their careers effectively. This specially curated program facilitates professional growth and leadership development, empowering participants to excel in their roles. The training program covers a range of topics including effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution and strategic thinking. These skills are essential for women to build confidence in their abilities and take on more responsibility within the Bank
The Bank has also introduced a “Mentorship Program”, connecting women employees with experienced mentors in senior positions. This initiative provides invaluable guidance, support, and career advice, helping women to achieve their professional goals. For women, having such a mentor who understands the unique challenges they might face within the Bank can be especially empowering. Under this program, women are not only able to gain insight into how to advance their careers but also develop the confidence to face new challenges.
Understanding the importance of personal and professional development often go hand-in-hand, the Bank offers a “Sabbatical Leave Policy” that allows women to pursue advanced degrees or take time off for personal reasons without impacting their career progression. This policy is designed to recognise the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, while also acknowledging the need for work-life balance.
In a further commitment to inclusivity, Central Bank of India has established “All-Women Branches” across its 90 Regions. Women branch heads receive specialized training to enhance their leadership capabilities, ensuring they can effectively lead and inspire their teams. The creation of all-women branches not only highlights the bank’s commitment to providing opportunities for women in leadership but also serves as visible representation of the Bank’s dedication to gender equality. Women-led branches are expected to be catalysts for other women employees in the Bank toward moving into leadership roles.
To accommodate the personal and family needs of its female employees, the Bank has implemented “Flexible Transfer Policies”. Women are given priority in transfer requests, especially those seeking to join spouses or families. Additionally, female employees on maternity leave or with young children are exempt from mandatory transfers, promoting a more adaptable work environment. These flexible transfer policies not only make it easier for women to balance their personal and professional lives but also reflect the bank’s understanding of the unique challenges faced by working mothers.
Recognizing the challenges faced by women returning from maternity leave, the Bank offers “Post-Maternity Counselling” through its Employee Assistance Program. This support is designed to help women to cope with emotional & physical challenges that are mainly associated with returning to work after having a child. The program has covered mental health resources, health tips, and childcare information; therefore, making facilitating a smoother transition back to the workplace. By offering post-maternity counselling, the bank is addressing the unique needs of its female employees and creating supporting environment.
Above all, Bank has taken further steps in fostering safe and respectful workplace for women employees by implementing robust measures under the Prevention of sexual harassment (POSH) Act. Under this policy, the bank has set up internal compliant committees at the Regional, Zonal & central level in such a manner that every women employees have access to a confidential and impartial committee to report any incidents of harassment with their working environment. The bank ensures that all reported cases are investigated with utmost seriousness with strict actions taken against any offenders, emphasizing zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
“Our commitment to gender equality is reflected in our comprehensive policies that ensure parity across all levels of the organization,” said Ms Poppy Sharma, General Manager, Human Capital Management at Central Bank of India. “While we maintain fairness in treatment, we also recognize and address the unique needs of our women employees, from enhanced maternity benefits to strict guidelines against workplace harassment.”
By embedding these initiatives, our Bank is not only complying with legal obligation but also makes it a prime example of icing a safe work culture , especially for women, as there is both safety and empowerment for women. All the policies are formulated in the bank are in compliance with government guidelines and regulations, ensuring consistent implementation across all branches and offices. This dedication to fairness and equality empowers women employees to pursue their careers with confidence and support.
Central Bank of India aims to inspire other organizations to prioritize women’s empowerment in the workplace, contributing positively to the ongoing discourse on gender equality.
