By Nkirika Nnorom

Ecobank Nigeria Plc has said that the alleged 50 per cent of the staff in top management position relieved of their jobs earlier this week failed the performance test conducted by the bank for the purpose of promoting its workforce.

The bank said in a response to Vanguard’s enquiry yesterday that the same performance test that determined their exit also saw about 10 per cent or 300 top performing staff promoted.

According to the bank; ‘’Few staff that performed below expectation were relieved of their jobs,’’ adding that the promoted staff cut across all cadres of the workforce.

The Deputy Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Anthony Okpanachi, said the bank being committed to rewarding excellence will continue to take appropriate positive action in line with international best practice to sustain excellence in its work force.

“Our people are our precious assets who enable us maintain service quality standards, uphold customer satisfaction and enhance our brand experience.

‘’The sacked staff were reportedly selected through an appraisal exercise conducted using an in-house developed performance management system which uses both financial and non-financial metrics to categorize staff,” Okpanachi said.

He explained that the same performance parameter used to determine the performance of those promoted, also revealed under-performance of the disengaged workers, while maintaining that Ecobank is an institution where high professional culture and exceptional performance, innovativeness and professionalism are recognized and rewarded.

A reliable source in the bank told Vanguard  that although the  issue had been discussed in the past, but its implementation was not expected this soon.

The source said each of the dismissed staff was earning nothing less than N40 million per annum, revealing that they were handed their dismissal letter on Tuesday.

“The sack affected those occupying the position of Assistant General Manager, AGM and above. They were asked to go because the top is heavy and the bank needs to be making good profit,” he said.

“They have been sacking junior staff and promoting themselves. Some of them have spent up to nine years on a particular position, restricting the growth of lower-cadre staff.

“This time around, the bank decided to look into this. The bank authorities sat over this issue and did not even look at the time spent in office, because one of the four persons affected in my department was promoted just last year.

“The bank said since it is struggling, it is not supposed to be spending much on salaries.” The source added that the decision to lay off the senior staff yielded fruit because of the change in the leadership of the bank.