De Unie, in your interest

Your collective labor agreement and industry

ABN AMRO: Update on vacancy freeze and working from home

April 08, 2025

We regularly discuss various topics with ABN-AMRO. These can be agreements from the collective labor agreement, but also developments that are taking place within ABN-AMRO or outside of it.

Join for free!

 

Working from home

De Unie receives messages from its members that they are asked to come to the office for multiple days. In this case, there are departments that want to see employees in the office for 3 days. We believe that this does not fit in with the collective labor agreement that we have made.

Hiring freeze at ABN AMRO: who will do the work?

ABN-AMRO has decided to implement a hiring freeze for the rest of the year. According to the bank, this measure is necessary to monitor cost targets. In plain language: no more investments are being made in new people, while work continues as usual. In fact: the workload will continue to increase.

For many employees, this news comes as no surprise. The workload has been a concern within the organization for a long time. Teams are running at minimal staffing, departments are at their limit, and colleagues are dropping out due to overload. The question that is now burning on everyone's lips: Who will do the work if no one else comes?

Cutting back on people is a short-term solution

ABN AMRO's decision to cut staff costs may seem logical from a financial perspective, but it is the employees who pay the bill. Cutting back on people is rarely a sustainable solution. It leads to lower motivation, more absenteeism, and ultimately to worse service.

For employees it is frustrating: you work hard, do your best, but you only get more work. A hiring freeze feels like a slap in the face for employees who make the difference every day.

Less room for growth and development

The hiring freeze not only affects the workload, but also your career. Anyone who wants to grow or take the next step within the bank will be disappointed for the time being. Internal mobility will come under pressure, which will limit your development opportunities.

In addition, temporary contracts are unlikely to be extended, and young professionals or interns will have fewer opportunities to advance. As a result, ABN-AMRO will not only lose its future talent, but also knowledge and continuity.

Where is the appreciation?

As a trade union we belong De Unie daily stories of employees who feel undervalued. The commitment is great, the loyalty too. But appreciation is not just in words – it is also about actions. And stopping vacancies while the work increases feels to many as the opposite of appreciation.

Trade union membership is important now more than ever

In times of uncertainty and cutbacks, it is extra important to make your voice heard. As a member of De Unie you can think about solutions and participate in decisions about employment conditions. We are in direct contact with the employer and bring your concerns to their attention. Think of agreements about work pressure, overload, compensation and growth opportunities.

The hiring freeze is a top-down decision, but you feel the consequences on the work floor. Let your voice be heard. Join De Unie and contribute to fair working conditions and a healthy work balance.

Join for free!

 

Contact

Do you have any questions or comments about this message? Please contact the advocate Harma Pethke via: harma.pethke@unie.nlIf you have an individual question or need advice, please contact the Service Center via sc@unie.nl or by phone on 0345-851 963. We are happy to advise you!

Related posts

ABN AMRO: Hybrid working

A great many members responded to our request for topics in the regular consultation with ABN-AMRO. This shows that you…

Become a member for free