Ex-AIB official had breakdown over stress, court hears

A FORMER Allied Irish Bank (AIB) staff official told the High Court yesterday she became a “vegetable” and had a “breakdown” because of pressure at work where absenteeism had reached chronic levels.

Sheila O’Keeffe, 48, of Billis, Drumalee, Co Cavan, told the court that in 1999 there were 530 days of absenteeism at the branch she worked at in Cavan, which had a staff of about 27.

With such a hard core of absenteeism flexibility was needed, she said, but this was not the case and she found it very stressful.

Ms O’Keeffe is taking an action for damages against AIB for alleged bullying and psychological abuse while working at the bank.

AIB denies the claims and says she was not subjected to work-related stress as alleged and denies it was negligent or in breach of duty.

She told the court it was well known there was low morale at the branch and sick leave was a chronic problem in December 1999/January 2000. Two assistant managers were on sick leave along with a number of other senior staff members. Matters got worse in January 2000 when the younger staff members started going on sick leave.

She had no help and records were not being kept properly. There were problems in foreign exchange, customer service and with the ATM machines and staff shortages simply impinged on everything. In addition the AIB bogus accounts issue was starting to hit the headlines.

Towards the end of November 1999 she felt she was unable to continue, felt tied to the bank and was spending less time with the family. She had complained to the human resources manager and indicated she could not cope with the situation. This had manifested itself in her not sleeping and she became very fatigued.

In March 2000 she had contacted a counselling line provided by AIB and disclosed to the woman counsellor that she was exhausted and very distressed. The counsellor advised her to leave the bank because it was “too stressful” for her.

She ceased work in May 2000 after sending a doctor’s certificate into the bank manager with a diagnosis that she was suffering from anxiety and depression. She subsequently visited a psychiatrist.

Ms O’Keeffe went on to give evidence that she became a recluse and could not go outside the door and had nightmares when she did sleep. She had a “breakdown” and cut herself off from her family, lost her voice and was just crying all the time. “I was just a vegetable,” she told the court.

She had begun working again in 2006 by becoming involved in yoga and reflexology.

The hearing before Mr Justice Vivian Lavan continues today.