"A bank told me my role was being restructured, then moved my junior into it"

21 October 2025

2 minute read

a man and his shadow against a yellow background

I am writing this as a warning to young people going into banking jobs today. Banking is not a meritocracy. It is a place where vicious politics are the norm.

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I spent 10 years working in a sales role at a US bank in London. Then I was made redundant last year. When this happened, I was told that it was because my role was being restructured and that no one would replace me.

But now I see that a junior on my team has effectively assumed my old role. He has all my clients. He works on my desk and has the same remit. He's even been promoted to my old level.

I'm not really clear why I was let go - except for politics. I was one of the top performers on my team. I had an excellent client base, I generated consistent revenues, and I trained and mentored a lot of the juniors. I just didn't get on with a few of the senior people - it was no big deal, but I kept my distance.

It's now become clear that I was forced out. This past year has been incredibly difficult for me. I've been crushed. Working in banking was part of my identity. I've been left to rebuild not just financially but socially, emotionally, and professionally.

What particularly stings is that it's now clear that my role was never really made redundant. The bank purports to act with scrupulous integrity but in my case I was removed under false premises. There was no reason to let me go. - Except that the senior staff saw me as a threat. The injustice makes this even harder to deal with.

Callisto Naso is a pseudonym

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AUTHORCallisto Naso

Insider Comment

M&
M&P
25 October 2025
Based on the information you've provided, it does sound like you might have a strong case for wrongful termination or constructive dismissal. Here are a few key points to consider and DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING GIVEN TO YOU BY THE EMPLOYER WITHOUT CONSULTING AN ATTORNEY: Role Replacement: The fact that a junior colleague has taken over your role, clients, and responsibilities suggests that your position was not genuinely made redundant. This could indicate that the bank's decision to let you go was motivated by factors other than genuine restructuring. Performance: You mentioned that you were one of the top performers on your team, which further supports the idea that your termination was not performance-related. High-performing employees are typically the last to be let go in a restructuring scenario. Political Factors: Your description of not getting along with a few senior people and keeping your distance could be a red flag. If senior staff saw you as a threat or had personal issues with you, this might have influenced their decision to let you go. Emotional Impact: The significant emotional and professional impact this has had on you is a crucial factor. Constructive dismissal claims often hinge on the emotional and psychological effects of the employer's actions. Integrity Claims: The bank's purported commitment to integrity, combined with the apparent deception in your case, could strengthen your argument. If you can show that the bank acted dishonestly or unethically, it might bolster your case. To pursue a retaliation case, you would need to gather evidence and potentially seek legal advice. This could include: Documentation: Any emails, performance reviews, or other documents that support your claims of high performance and the bank's reasons for your termination. Witnesses: Colleagues who can corroborate your version of events, especially regarding your performance and the political dynamics at play. Legal Consultation: Speaking with an employment lawyer who can assess the strength of your case and guide you through the process. Given the emotional and professional toll this has taken on you, it might be worth exploring your legal options to seek justice and potential compensation.
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Su
Sultan
23 October 2025
you've been screwed ...
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...-...
22 October 2025
If there was no proper redundancy process and no other redundancies, a protential case of unfair dismissal.
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ro
roger12
22 October 2025
if the boss can scapegoat you or replace you with someone they like they will make up any reasons and document them to appear professional
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An
Anon123654
21 October 2025
It's an age old story. The boss is always right. If in doubt, read the statement again. You can be 10 times as competent as your boss... but if your boss doesn't like you, they'll find a way to make your life a misery (in the hope you get the hint) and if that doesn't work, they'll do it the hard way. Just say "Yes, absolutely" every time the boss says anything. But when you're going for a job interview, don't tell HR that this is what you plan to do.
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