Reimagining Workload Management at Bank of America

Why I am Skeptical

Bank of America (BofA) has initiated a significant shift in its approach to managing junior banker workloads. In response to the tragic death of associate Leo Lukenas, who reportedly endured 100-hour workweeks, the bank has reassigned the responsibility of task allocation from mid-level staffers to senior leaders, including directors and above. This new role, termed Chief Resource Officer (CRO), is designed to be permanent and focuses on overseeing junior bankers' workloads with an emphasis on talent development and leadership.

This change aims to address longstanding concerns about burnout among junior bankers. By entrusting senior leaders with this responsibility, BofA hopes to foster a culture that prioritizes the well-being and growth of its junior staff. 

I am skeptical, for many reasons. The simple fact is that changes like these tend to be superficial at best. Organizations want to make it seem like they are solving the problem, without actually addressing the underlying issue.