A Kenyan man has sparked widespread online debate after accusing Equity Bank of denying his wife time off to mourn the death of her father-in-law.
In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), user Muthomi Martins claimed that his wife, an employee at the bank, was refused compassionate leave following the death of his father. He expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of empathy from her employer.
“Thank you for successfully denying my wife even a day to mourn my dad. You’re such an uncaring partner… Shame on you,” Martins wrote, tagging the bank in his post.
He further alleged that his wife had been informed she could only attend the burial on the eve of the ceremony and would be required to return to work immediately afterward.
To support his claims, Martins shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with his wife, in which she reportedly explained the conditions set by her workplace regarding her absence.
Beyond the immediate incident, Martins also accused the bank of subjecting his wife to difficult working conditions, including transferring her to a distant branch while she was on maternity leave.
“All that matters is your assets while your junior staff are left on their own to suffer,” he added.
The post quickly gained traction online, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans. While some users condemned the alleged actions and called for better workplace policies around bereavement leave, others urged caution, noting that the claims were yet to be independently verified.
In response, Equity Bank acknowledged the complaint and sought further details from the complainant.
“Dear Martins, Equity is committed to an environment where open, honest communications are the expectation. Please see a DM from us, requesting for more information on this,” the bank said in a public reply.
The lender also directed the complainant to its independent reporting platform, assuring that any information shared would remain confidential and anonymous.
The incident has reignited conversations around employee welfare, workplace policies, and the balance between corporate demands and personal emergencies in Kenya’s banking sector.
As the matter unfolds, it remains unclear whether the bank will take further action or provide additional clarification regarding the allegations.
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