Bank apologises for firing staff with accidental email

One of Australias largest banks has apologised to staff who found out they had been fired through an automated email asking them to hand back their laptops.

ANZs retail banking executive Bruce Rush said it was "not our intention to share such sensitive news with you in this way" as the firm cuts jobs in its retail banking business.

The bank said the emails were sent to some staff ahead of schedule in error. It said it has since stopped sending the emails and that staff have been spoken to personally.

The Financial Sector Union said the email caused "panic and distress" and was a result of the company forcing through a "chaotic pace of change".

The unions president Wendy Streets said it had not been consulted on the changes the bank was making.

"Speed and cost-cutting cannot come at the expense of dignity and respect for workers," Ms Streets said, describing the "botched" episode as "disgusting".

Mr Rush wrote in an email to staff: "Unfortunately, these emails indicate an exit date for some of our colleagues before weve been able to share their outcome with them."