AIB STAFF HAVE “overwhelmingly” voted to reject new hybrid working principles put forward by the bank, the Financial Services Union (FSU) has said.

The Union has now referred the issue to the Workplace Relations Commission.

Last month workers began voting on the proposals following “significant backlash” to the bank’s return-to-office order.

AIB’s original return-to-office protocol, which was announced without consultation in July, did not allow staff to work from the company’s 47 staff hubs or 170 bank branches on days when they are mandated to work in the office.

Some workers have reported moving to rural locations on the basis they could work remotely, and now say they face long commutes as a result of having to attend their workplace in person.

The FSU described today’s vote as a “resounding outcome”.  It said despite having referred the issue to the WRC, it will remain open to ongoing engagement with AIB to resolve the issue.

The proposals which were rejected today allowed AIB Hubs to be used as one of the three days in the office. For workers who already had arrangements with the bank on hybrid working, AIB and the FSU would work together to honour them.

The bank would also have had to consult with the FSU before making any changes in the future.

Commenting on the ballot result John O’Connell, General Secretary of the Financial Services Union said: “FSU members in AIB have voted to reject the new hybrid working principles proposed by AIB management. The ballot result is clear and decisive.”

“Our members were extremely concerned at the time of the announcement by AIB of their new hybrid working proposals back in July. That concern has not dissipated, and it is clear that a fresh approach is required.”

He said the FSU want to find a solution that works for staff and the employer.

“We believe it is possible to agree new hybrid working principles that addresses the concerns of both employees and the employer.”

In a statement to The Journal, an AIB spokesperson said it believes all employees benefit from in-person time with their own team and broader colleagues, while also recognising the benefits of hybrid working “and are committed to continuing to enable it”.

“In July, we announced our plans to increase the number of office attendance days from two to three days per week from January 2026 to allow all staff time to plan for this change. We subsequently provided details of the days for each team,” the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson said the hybrid working proposals were drafted following extensive engagement with the FSU.

“We provided flexibilities for our people, including the use of our 47 local working hubs across the country as an alternative to attending their base location on one of their weekly onsite attendance days, subject to availability and agreement.

“The union balloted its members on these principles and informed us that the ballot has not passed.”

The spokesperson said the bank will continue to engage with employees on the hybrid working arrangements, which “will come into effect as planned” on 1 January”, while also continuing to engage with the FSU “using our normal industrial relations process”.