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Original poster

Not sure what to do new office attendance policy

207 replies

sunflower122 · 05/09/2024 22:28

I took on a new role around two years ago. The company wanted me to be based in a particular office further north (about a three hour each way commute away.)

I said that was fine but I could only do that commute once a week. This was agreed in writing. I genuinely would not have taken the job if they had not agreed to this - my old job was fine!

The company have now announced a mandatory three day a week in the office policy.

I genuinely cannot do this with a six hour commute and it wasn't the basis on which I accepted the role.

Do I need to leave pretty much immediately?

OP posts:
Original poster
sunflower122 · 05/09/2024 22:37

User3456 · 05/09/2024 22:35

Put in a formal flexible working request. If you have any health conditions you can also put in a request for reasonable adjustments under the equality act if the additional commute would impact your health.
And join a union if you are not already a member.
More info here, good luck 🍀
www.acas.org.uk/statutory-flexible-working-requests

The guidance accompanying the policy specifically says these will be rejected unless you have a physical disability preventing travel (I don't)

OP posts:
DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 05/09/2024 22:37

Is this PWC? They've announced this today.

It does say exceptions for those with existing contractual arrangements.

User3456 · 05/09/2024 22:35

Put in a formal flexible working request. If you have any health conditions you can also put in a request for reasonable adjustments under the equality act if the additional commute would impact your health.
And join a union if you are not already a member.
More info here, good luck 🍀
www.acas.org.uk/statutory-flexible-working-requests

Original poster
sunflower122 · 05/09/2024 22:34

It was agreed over email prior to starting does that make a difference?

I haven't spoken to them yet - I've just been a bit panicked - this is totally unfeasible for me!

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 05/09/2024 22:34

Is there a closer office you can attend. Can you get your old job back.

Icedlatteofdreams · 05/09/2024 22:31

I think if you have it in writing that you only have to commute once per week then you can argue that the new office attendance policy doesn't apply to you. You could argue that it's a contractual element to be fair if it was written at the time of you starting.

Have you spoken to work about this?

DelurkingAJ · 05/09/2024 22:30

If you’ve got it in writing I think you pick up with HR as a starting point.

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