Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New manager want me in the office. I wfh-help!

539 replies

Stressedgiraffe · 29/01/2024 13:30

We've changed management structure so my new manager wants me in the office. Ideally once a week but might settle for every month.
I've been there over 2 years. I wfh permanently but my contract says HQ.
I live 5 hours away always have done. They knew where I lived when I started. I go into the office about every 3/4 months for a few days .
Could I push for a change in location in my contract or do you think I'm screwed?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
BouncingJAS · 29/01/2024 13:47

@Coolblur

Corporate Executives

CFO
CEO
CRO

Etc..

CointreauVersial · 29/01/2024 13:46

DH's colleague was forced out of his job because of this - had always WFH but it wasn't in his contract, and they starting insisting on him being in once a week.

I think you will have to negotiate. Maybe two days in every fortnight and stay over to minimise travel?

Soontobe60 · 29/01/2024 13:46

When you applied for the job that you knew was a 5 hour commute away, was it advertised as a fully WFH position?

GoonieGang · 29/01/2024 13:44

Sounds like WFH was a COVID contingency and they are reverting back to BAU?
Why did you apply for a job which was 5 hours commute away? Was the job offered as WFH or Hybrid?

Coolblur · 29/01/2024 13:41

BouncingJAS · 29/01/2024 13:39

There seems to be a recent push by the C-Suite to get people back into the office. This is being cascaded down now and managers are asking people to show up more.

You may be caught up in this generalised net.

I would negotiate given that you live so far away 1x/month seems reasonable to me while 1x/week does not in your case.

What is 'the C-Suite'?

Answersunknown · 29/01/2024 13:39

I’d consider it lucky if they only ask for once a month.
pish too hard and you may find they enforce your terms and conditions much harder

BouncingJAS · 29/01/2024 13:39

There seems to be a recent push by the C-Suite to get people back into the office. This is being cascaded down now and managers are asking people to show up more.

You may be caught up in this generalised net.

I would negotiate given that you live so far away 1x/month seems reasonable to me while 1x/week does not in your case.

ChedderGorgeous · 29/01/2024 13:35

UABU. If your contract says you don't wfh then they could ask you in every day and you couldn't say no. They have agreed to you coming in 1x a month- sounds ideal. I would snap up their offer.

NWQM · 29/01/2024 13:34

What is their reasoning - clearly it's not cover or anything as they may agree once a month.

Has the manager worked with you under the status quo arrangements and if so for how long?
They can probably enforce it technically under your contract but would need to show why the change is needed from a business perspective. Is everyone being asked to go in once a week?

AccountantMum · 29/01/2024 13:34

If you don't have a WFH contract maybe you will need to go in once a month?

HopeThatHelps · 29/01/2024 13:34

Gosh, that’s a long commute! If you pushed for once a month, would they supply travel costs and accommodation? Is the office anywhere nice that you could use as a mini break? Sounds frustrating.

anniegun · 29/01/2024 13:33

The best you can do is negotiate a compromise. You agreed a contract to be office based.

MereDintofPandiculation · 29/01/2024 13:33

Contract also includes "custom and practice", and I believe there's case law to support this. Are you in a union?

Crunchymum · 29/01/2024 13:32

So your contract doesn't say you WFH?