HR layoff fail: Premature email tells ANZ bankers they’re out — by mistake

Australian bank ANZ has been forced to apologise and offer counselling after more than 100 senior bankers received an email sent in error instructing them to return their computers, days before they were officially told they would lose their jobs.

The mistake occurred on Wednesday when automated emails were triggered ahead of schedule, according to a report by the Financial Times. Later that day, ANZ convened an online call to confirm that the staff who had received the emails were in fact being made redundant.

“Deeply regret the distress”

Bruce Rush, acting head of ANZ’s retail division, acknowledged the error in an internal note to employees, seen by the FT.

“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. “I deeply regret the distress this situation may have caused. Please know that we are committed to treating every colleague with dignity and respect as we move through this process.”

An ANZ spokesperson told the FT the bank had “apologised unconditionally to our staff impacted” and confirmed it was providing psychological counselling to those affected.

Union backlash

The Financial Sector Union (FSU), which represents finance industry employees, said it had been contacted by members who were left shocked and distressed by the premature messages.

“This is a disgusting way for workers to learn about job cuts — through a botched email instead of a respectful conversation,” FSU national president Wendy Streets told the Financial Times.

She added: “These errors are the direct result of the chaotic pace of change being forced through by ANZ’s new CEO.”

The incident comes as Nuno Matos, a former HSBC executive who became ANZ’s chief executive in May, prepares to unveil a strategic overhaul of the bank in October. According to the FT, the restructuring is part of an effort to reshape ANZ’s operations.

Despite the controversy, ANZ’s shares have risen 18 per cent this year, closing at A$33.69 on Wednesday.

The error adds to a difficult history for ANZ, which has previously faced scrutiny over alleged bond price rigging and misconduct on its trading floor.

The latest mishap has reignited criticism of the way Australian banks are managing restructuring efforts amid technological change and cost-cutting.

Earlier this month, ANZ’s larger rival, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), was forced to abandon a plan to replace 45 call centre workers with an AI chatbot. The bank faced a surge in customer calls it was unable to handle, leading it to apologise and redeploy affected staff. The FT reported that the FSU had taken the matter to the Fair Work Commission, Australia’s workplace tribunal.

Timing adds to worker unease

According to the FT, ANZ had originally planned to inform staff of redundancies next week, making the email error particularly damaging for morale.

Workplace experts say the episode highlights the importance of communication during restructuring, particularly in high-pressure industries such as banking.

“Automation and restructuring are realities for banks today, but mismanaging the human element — especially in the way redundancies are communicated — risks long-term damage to trust and employer reputation,” said an industry analyst quoted in Reuters in a separate report on workforce challenges in global banking.

With layoffs now confirmed, ANZ faces the dual challenge of managing the financial and operational aspects of its strategy shift while also rebuilding internal confidence.

For employees, the misstep is a reminder of how fragile workplace trust can be. For leadership, it underscores the risks of letting process errors overshadow strategic intent.

As FSU’s Streets warned, “Respectful treatment during times of change is not optional — it’s a basic expectation.”