Caixa: 80% of bank employees have work-related illnesses.

Fenae - A total of 80% of Caixa Econômica Federal bank employees participating in a new survey commissioned by the National Federation of Caixa Personnel Associations (Fenae) have some work-related illness. The initial results of the survey also reveal other alarming data: 33% of absences due to medical leave were caused by depression, 26% by anxiety, 13% by Burnout Syndrome [professional exhaustion, extreme burnout], and 11% by Panic Disorder.

To date, 1.704 active employees have responded to the survey questionnaire. Of this total, 6% are on medical leave. The study also shows that 20% of workers have a workday longer than eight hours.  

Fenae's opinion poll on the health of Caixa bank employees was conducted between November 19th and December 10th. A total of 3.034 employees participated in the study, with 56% (1.704) being active employees and 44% (1.330) being retirees. 

According to Fenae's president, Sergio Takemoto, the situation has "worsened considerably" since the Federation's last survey on employee health [initiated in 2018]. "We know that the pandemic is a factor that weighs heavily on workers' mental health. But the current research shows that illness is linked to work," he analyzes. "In other words, the bank's management style, the demands and pressure to meet targets, in addition to grueling work schedules, are interfering with employees' health. This data will help us seek actions in defense of Caixa bank employees, who have remained on the front lines of serving the public throughout this health crisis," Takemoto adds. 

Before the pandemic, the psychological health of Caixa Econômica employees was already a concern for Fenae: a survey conducted by the organization in partnership with the University of Brasília (UnB) revealed that more than half of the bank's workers (53,6%) had experienced at least one episode of workplace harassment. The study also showed that almost 20% of active employees reported having depression or anxiety. The percentage of bank employees seeking regular psychological or psychiatric care was 19,6%. And 47% of workers were aware of at least one suicide among colleagues.

THE RESEARCH — In this new survey, of the total active respondents, 74% are based in branches, 34% hold management positions, and 21% are New Banking Technicians (TBN). 71% are between 30 and 49 years old. Among retirees, 66% are between 60 and 69 years old. The margin of error for the survey is 1,8 percentage points, with a 95% confidence interval.

“The data is alarming,” says Fabiana Matheus, Director of Health and Social Security at Fenae. “Right away, with this preliminary information, we can say that Caixa, in some way, is harming the health of its workers,” she adds. 

"The data collected will support Fenae and the bank's employee associations (Apcefs) in developing health and well-being initiatives, as well as assisting in our demands to Caixa's management for improved working conditions for employees," emphasizes Sergio Takemoto. 

OVERLOAD — In 2014, Caixa Econômica Federal had over 101 employees. Over seven years, the number has been decreasing, and the deficit is approaching 17 workers.

Among the five largest banks in the country, Caixa has the highest number of clients per employee. According to data consolidated by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese), relating to the first quarter of 2021, this ratio is 1.775 [clients per worker] at Caixa. At Santander, it's 1.146. And at Bradesco, 1.112.

CAMPAIGN — Since 2019, Fenae has been developing the "Don't Suffer Alone" campaign. The initiative includes measures to prevent mental illness in the workplace.

One of the actions is the development of strategies for implementing assistance services for Caixa employees who are suffering. The campaign, which is ongoing, also supports Fenae and Apcefs in proposing and implementing union and institutional policies and practices for the prevention of work-related psychopathology.