01. Introduction

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The banking sector is a major component of the global economy, facilitating financial transactions, investments, and economic stability. Nonetheless, the organized structure and customer-service-oriented behavior of the banking sector do not fail to mention that its professionals have to work under pressure, and it impacts them adversely, affecting their mental health and well-being overall. Stress and tiredness as a result of extended working hours , regulatory limitations, and customer expectations affect work engagement and productivity (Deloitte, 2021).

"Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) and Licensed Specialized Banks (LSBs) make up the banking industry in Sri Lanka, which controls the financial system and holds the largest portion of its total assets" (CBSL, 2020). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has authorized a total of six licensed specialized banks and twenty-four licensed commercial banks in the country. Banks play a major role in the financial system in Sri Lanka.

Graph 01 : LMD (Cover Story, 02 Feb, 2022)


References List

· https://lmd.lk/cover-story-23/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

·https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/ca/Documents/about-deloitte/ca-en-about-blueprint-for-workplace-mental-health-final-aoda.pdf [Accessed 20 Mar. 2025].



Comments

  1. Rashini Maleesha DevindiApril 14, 2025 at 9:29 AM

    Your introduction highlights the pressures faced by banking professionals. Considering that only 35% of banking employees believe their leadership is moving their companies in the right direction, how do you think leadership perception influences employee well-being and engagement in the banking sector?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadaniwijewickrameApril 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM

      Thank you for your thoughtful question. How employees perceive leaders is important. When employees believe their leaders and organization are trustworthy, they feel more secure. This trust can improve well-being and boost engagement levels within the banking sector

      Delete
  2. Milan Sandeepa MuthukumaraneApril 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM

    The stressors you've identified, such as extended working hours and regulatory pressures, are significant. It's noteworthy that employee engagement in the banking sector is closely tied to leadership communication and support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadaniwijewickrameApril 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM

      I appreciate your observation. Effective leadership communication can definitely reduce stress and increase engagement, highlighting the need for transparent and supportive management practices in banking institutions.

      Delete
  3. Madhavi JayasingheApril 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM

    This provides a clear overview of both the global and local banking sectors, especially highlighting the intense pressure banking professionals face. The point about how stress and long hours affect engagement and productivity is very relevant in today’s demanding work culture

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    Replies
    1. sadaniwijewickrameApril 14, 2025 at 10:55 PM

      Thank you so much for your considerate response! I am really glad you found the overview useful. It is easy to ignore pressure in the banking sector, so I thought to highlight how stress and long hours can influence not only productivity but also well-being and engagement. Thank you for engaging; I really appreciate you taking the time to check it out!

      Delete
    2. sadaniwijewickrameApril 14, 2025 at 10:57 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  4. The Impact of SUSTAINABLE HRM FOR APPAREL INDUSTRYApril 15, 2025 at 9:36 AM

    The blog mentioned that pressure and high stress affect people's well-being and mental health. Can you explain this stressful situation is created due to the work environment or the specific requirements of the employee's job description (JD)?
    Commented by Lahiru Randima

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadaniwijewickrameApril 16, 2025 at 5:43 AM

      Thank you for bringing up this comment. Due to the overall work environment and the demands specified in the job descriptions, there is a stressful situation in the banking sector.

      In the banking sector, working hours are long, performance pressure is high, and there are strict regulatory requirements. The stress experienced by employees is a result of environmental conditions, both internal and external in nature (Deloitte, 2021). Furthermore, the nature of work in banking requires attention to detail, quick thinking, and complex work. These are the expectations from employees who often have to meet deadlines and multitask with low margins of error.

      Essentially, both the environment at work and the requirements of the job create a challenging situation for employees. This is the reason a multifaceted intervention that targets both the environmental stressors and the demands of jobs is essential for maintaining mental health in banking.

      Delete
  5. Nuwan Asanka 2020April 15, 2025 at 11:16 AM

    This write-up sheds important light on the human side of banking. While the sector is a cornerstone of economic stability, it’s crucial to recognize the intense pressure banking professionals face. Highlighting mental health, stress factors, and the structure of Sri Lanka's banking system adds valuable context. A well-rounded and timely discussion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadaniwijewickrameApril 16, 2025 at 5:59 AM

      Thank you for your wise comment. I'm delighted that the article resonated with you. As you know, the banking sector is crucial for economic stability, but we must also note the huge pressures the professionals are under. According to research, being exposed to high-pressure banking jobs for a long time can lead to harmful health effects and low job satisfaction (Eurofound, 2014). ​

      Studies on Sri Lanka pinpointed that bank workers are exposed to various work stressors, such as pressure of workload and role ambiguity, lowering their performance (H.W.A.C. Subasinhe and K.G. Priyashantha, 2023). To deal with this, supportive work environments and good stress management strategies need to be created.

      Delete
  6. Lakshan AbeysekaraApril 17, 2025 at 10:43 PM

    Unquestionably, the banking industry is a pillar of economic stability, but it's crucial to acknowledge the toll it takes on people who support it. The welfare of banking professionals has to receive more attention as Sri Lanka's banks continue to contribute to the country's financial stability. People and performance are valued in a sustainable system.

    ReplyDelete

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