Union claims HSBC gave UK post to employee facing grievance proceedings

Banking employees' union MUBE has condemned what it described as a "unilateral" decision by HSBC UK, claiming the bank had appointed a local employee to a new role in the United Kingdom while grievance proceedings against this employee in Malta had not been concluded.

"Such news reflects very negatively on members' expectations as to the outcome of the ongoing disciplinary investigations being held by the bank in respect of very serious, unethical and irresponsible actions attributed to this employee to the detriment of all other employees concerned and the working environment," the MUBE said in a circular to employees.

The union said HSBC Malta had been "dragging its feet" over the past year to carry out an investigation. "To add insult to injury, the bank is promoting him to an international senior role within the group. MUBE expects local management to abide by the rules of the Collective Agreement. HSBC group values and the minimum ethical standards expected by society in general. It is all about integrity," the union said.

"Such shameful behaviour by the bank simply cannot be accepted any further. It does not portray justice to whoever was disciplined in the past for much less serious actions. The bank is definitely applying two weights and two measures to similar cases and blatantly disregarding collective agreement rules."