Bungled: ANZ is guilty of using corporate speak in sackings fiasco
Yesterday news broke that ANZ had sent emails to senior staff inadvertently informing them of their imminent sackings. We asked crisis comms expert Peter Wilkinson whether the bank has handled the ensuing fallout well. He wasn’t happy. We have included the full wording of the ANZ apology to staff below.
I really dislike the way ANZ has managed the bungle. There is conversing with people and talking at people. ANZ chose the latter in the written statement. I can’t speak for the group call or individual conversations.
Is this phrase believable? “We are committed to treating every colleague with dignity and respect…”
I don’t think so, not after such a mishap.
How about this instead? “That was a crap way to treat a person. Fail. Sorry doesn’t convey how I feel. If it happened to me, I would be furious, so I get it. I’ve spoken to the people who are responsible and warned them it must never happen again.”
Sorry you found out we were planning on sacking you soon. As a result, we will do our best to ensure you’re sacked sooner.
Oof.
I have just changed banks.