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AIBU?

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Original poster

Hybrid Working Policy help needed

306 replies

jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 19:57

Hi - my job has a policy as above, states to be in the office for 3 days a week, with an option to submit a form for unforeseen circumstances. The policy states that the focus is on days not hours spent in the office per day but the expectation is that majority of the day is spent in office when there. There’s no definition of ‘majority’ so I’ve assumed it means more than 50%. This policy has been in place a year. Recently received an email from a senior member of staff to the whole team stating that when in the office we are expected to be there for a full day.

Since this policy was introduced - I arranged my childcare around it. My son is in nursery 7.30-5.30 daily (I’m a single parent) I chose these hours so I could get to the office early. Usually around 8.15/30, I stay until lunchtime which is four hours and then head home. I do this as I thought it was better to travel home on my unpaid hour than later in the afternoon on works time.

Since receiving the email I have reached out and explained my usual routine and asked for clarification if this is no longer ok. I have been told it is no longer ok and I cannot leave at lunchtime consistently only occasionally for appointments etc. Apparently this was clarified with HR before I was given a response. Where do I stand here as the policy doesn’t state full days? I have offered to stay till later in the afternoon and explained why I chose lunchtime. Also explained that I can’t stay till later than 4pm really due to traffic and nursery pick up.

I’m just not sure where I stand or how to handle? As the policy is not specific at all. Can the goalposts be changed like this?

IABU - Suck it up
IANBU - This isnt ok to just change it

OP posts:
TheRealLillyAllenVerifiedAccount · 12/01/2026 20:53

If they are asking that an office day is a full day and you cant make that work with childcare, is there an option to get childcare for your office days? Then you can work longer office days for flexi?

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:53

Falalalalaaaalalalalaaaa · 12/01/2026 20:27

I would not argue about the policy clarification - there’s nothing you can do if they choose to interpret “majority of the day” as 80% of the day.

Why don’t you reply HR and manager “thank you for the clarification. I propose to work in the office from 8.30 to 4pm which is majority of the day, and I will take a short lunch break of 30 mins which means I will achieve my working hours on my office days.”

Yes I know - neither are wrong as it’s too ambiguous.

i have offered to stay till 3pm - should be told tomorrow but get the impression that would be ok.

frustrating as the person who sent the email never turns up till at least 11am

OP posts:
Frankinator · 12/01/2026 20:52

PwC right? In which case I’ve noticed an increasing number of people quite frankly taking the piss. Yes the policy says it’s days not hours, but the whole point of the mandatory 3 days is that we are meant to be connecting with each other. They’ve also made it clear that whilst at the moment they aren’t reporting hours on the dashboard, they are very much tracking them.
I know the whole process is frustrating, but it’s not going to go away, and yes the more people who don’t do at least 6 hours in the office are going to ruin it for the rest of us who are sticking to the policy. I know you’re not as bad as some of the people who literally come in, grab a coffee and go, but you’re also not really acting in the spirit of the policy and will just lead to making things worse.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 12/01/2026 20:51

Jeeesus this is why we can’t have nice things!

Of course it means sometimes you can leave a 4, not a lunchtime situation!

Your entire department will have been rolling their eyes every time you leave. This is ridiculous.

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:51

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/01/2026 20:27

Could you do the 8.15 - 1 every days and then you would be doing about the equivalent of three full office days?

At my work it’s 60% of time rather than being measured in days. One guy at my work does this - gets in very early every day, goes home at lunchtime (so by that time at least 60% of his working day is gone), walks his dog, and then works his remaining 3 hours (or whatever he has left) from home. Probably means a slightly long lunchtime, albeit he’s quite local, but he’s doing the requisite amount of time.

Other people work two very long office days, adding up to 60% of their time, and three short WFH days, because they have a long and expensive commute and only want to do it twice a week.

There’s ways of making it work!

I couldn’t do two days as they’re very specific about it having to be three.

id rather not go in 5 days a week the added expense of parking etc isn’t worth it. I would if it was necessary but wouldn’t be my first choice.

I only chose lunch so I wasn’t travelling on works time but have offered to stay till 3pm and take then as lunch

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 12/01/2026 20:50

RudolphRNR · 12/01/2026 20:07

If you are leaving at lunchtime you are only there for half a day. That’s not the majority of the day by anyone’s definition or interpretation.

Majority means 51% or more

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:49

Littlemisscapable · 12/01/2026 20:25

No this wouldn't be allowed in any office I've worked in.. people work and office day and a wfh day but not coming in at 8.15 and leaving at lunch. You will need to stay later on office day..if your pick up is 5.30 then just stay until 4.15. That is loads of time..most places insist you take your lunch not work around it. If you leave at 3 how can you do more wfh and get your child on time as well as your commute.

I just based what I did around what the policy said. Well that’s why I left at lunch so it didn’t interfere with work time but have offered to leave at 3 and take then as lunch

OP posts:
Allthecoloursoftherainbow4 · 12/01/2026 20:49

jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:48

Yes that’s what I’ve asked, work through leave at 3pm and take then as lunch. Should get a response tomorrow

Show quote history

Legally they can't allow you to work more than 6hrs without a break

Holalolaholiday · 12/01/2026 20:48

Or ask for flexible working and reduce your hours slightly?

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:48

Ponderingwindow · 12/01/2026 20:24

Could you eat at your desk while you work and then take your official lunch break later while you travel home? Or split the time with a short lunch break and travel time?

Yes that’s what I’ve asked, work through leave at 3pm and take then as lunch. Should get a response tomorrow

OP posts:
JokerOfTwo · 12/01/2026 20:48

jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 19:57

Hi - my job has a policy as above, states to be in the office for 3 days a week, with an option to submit a form for unforeseen circumstances. The policy states that the focus is on days not hours spent in the office per day but the expectation is that majority of the day is spent in office when there. There’s no definition of ‘majority’ so I’ve assumed it means more than 50%. This policy has been in place a year. Recently received an email from a senior member of staff to the whole team stating that when in the office we are expected to be there for a full day.

Since this policy was introduced - I arranged my childcare around it. My son is in nursery 7.30-5.30 daily (I’m a single parent) I chose these hours so I could get to the office early. Usually around 8.15/30, I stay until lunchtime which is four hours and then head home. I do this as I thought it was better to travel home on my unpaid hour than later in the afternoon on works time.

Since receiving the email I have reached out and explained my usual routine and asked for clarification if this is no longer ok. I have been told it is no longer ok and I cannot leave at lunchtime consistently only occasionally for appointments etc. Apparently this was clarified with HR before I was given a response. Where do I stand here as the policy doesn’t state full days? I have offered to stay till later in the afternoon and explained why I chose lunchtime. Also explained that I can’t stay till later than 4pm really due to traffic and nursery pick up.

I’m just not sure where I stand or how to handle? As the policy is not specific at all. Can the goalposts be changed like this?

IABU - Suck it up
IANBU - This isnt ok to just change it

When you explained you can’t stay later than 4pm what was their response?

Could you do 08:30 - 16:00 & work through your lunch? That way you are doing the 3 days & can leave up collect your child on time.

What does your actual contract say? As they can easily change their own policies but may find it more difficult if it’s in your contract.

Holalolaholiday · 12/01/2026 20:48

So leave at 4pm. Work any additional hours missed on your WFH days? Is that possible around childcare, to start earlier/finish later some days?

Finishing at lunchtime looks very bad. It doesn't matter whether you've done it for a year or not. Imagine if everyone did that? Totally fair they've asked you to rectify. It's likely because you're doing this that it has been brought up. I do sympathise. Hybrid working and compulsory time in the office is a pain.

Allthecoloursoftherainbow4 · 12/01/2026 20:48

jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:44

It’s not taking the piss and I never did it with that intention - it’s always been a very flexible workplace and I’ve always checked that it’s fine before I do things like this.

I have offered to stay later - but I can’t be there for a full day it’s impossible as I woukdnt get back in time for pickup. There’s nobody can do it for me as I’m a single parent. I still do my job and I do it well, I have a great reputation at work.

Workplaces have had to become more flexible over the years for these type of situations - one of the reasons I took this job was for the flexibility and I’m worried that it can change so fast

Show quote history

OP are you working 2hrs from where you live?

I just don't understand why you'd need to leave at 3pm for a nursery pick up they are all open til at least 5, usually more like 5. 30/6.00? What do you think everyone working 9-5 does, of course nurseries are open til that time. Even those in 2 parent families have always had this issue what do you think we all did before covid and wfh happened, nobody was allowed to just leave the office at 3!

I'm guessing you just want to pick your child up earlier because it's a long day for them and nicer for you to be able to pick them up at 4 - but the world doesn't work that way, you are paid to work full time?

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:47

ScaryM0nster · 12/01/2026 20:24

I would imagine that the intent of the ‘days not hours’ is to accommodate people having a standard ‘works time’ each day. So they do slightly longer days on their wfh days and slightly shorter days on their office day and have roughly the same start / finish ‘work stuff’ each day. Some days that start time is the starting time for the commute and sometimes it’s the starting time for work.

Rather than what you’re doing which is essentially an ever so slightly extended half day.

To put it another way. If you needed the time Youre in the office off for some reason, would you expect to have to book it as a half day leave or a whole day leave? On your logic, it’s the majority of a day, so it would be a full days leave.

Framed like that, you can maybe see your employers point.

A lot of work from home arrangements are being tightened up on, because people are being noticed to stretch beyond Whats intended. If it’s a non contractual variation then tread carefully. If it becomes too much hassle they’ll pull the wfh option entirely.

I’d suggest seeing how late you can take your lunch break. Many employers dont mind when it’s taken during the day.

Yes that would be right if I wasn’t working in the afternoon. But that isn’t the case. I’m not taking half a day off work and I continue to work from home.

Ive offered to leave at 3pm instead

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 12/01/2026 20:47

Catza · 12/01/2026 20:01

Call ACAS. Nothing really stops them from changing the policy retrospectively which is probably something they will eventually do as it is very ambiguous.

Not true if the policy is contractual

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 12/01/2026 20:47

Your commute home won't be clocked as working hours.

persikmeow · 12/01/2026 20:46

It’s hard OP. I have the same policy at my employer (might be the same one), and I don’t have an hour for lunch - grab it on the go, 15 minutes, back to work. Then leave at 4-4.15pm. Timesheet also says 7.5 hours but realistically I do more if you count the evening shift after my DC is in bed.

Burningbud1981 · 12/01/2026 20:46

jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:46

Yes it was part of a new year update - it stated some have been coming in for one hour then leaving so it wasn’t aimed at me. And I’ve not been pulled up on it this has only come about as I asked for clarification. I have offered to stay later so hoping that’s ok

Show quote history

Submit a flexible working request

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:46

CatamaranViper · 12/01/2026 20:24

You say you've been doing it for a year and there hasn't been a problem...except that there must have been a reason why they've had to clarify the rules. Maybe it isnt you, but someone has been taking the piss which means you're all going to suffer. Unfortunately they do have the power clarify what they meant. Yes you can argue that you interpreted it differently, but they'll just say you've interpreted it wrong or state they are rectifying the confusion.
I don't think you can argue your way out of this

Yes it was part of a new year update - it stated some have been coming in for one hour then leaving so it wasn’t aimed at me. And I’ve not been pulled up on it this has only come about as I asked for clarification. I have offered to stay later so hoping that’s ok

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 12/01/2026 20:45

You are massively taking the piss and I think you know it deep down.

Also why do you keep saying “not travelling on work time”? You would never be travelling on work time, at most you would be leaving at 3pm and making up the additional 1h15 later when your child is in bed, if this is allowed (may not be).

In any event I don’t think leaving at 3 is a reasonable compromise, why can’t you work 8.15-4.15 with a 30 min lunch break? Am I missing something as that still gives you 1h15 to get there for nursery pick up?

Zanatdy · 12/01/2026 20:44

Take a late lunch and leave at 3pm. I leave at 2.30pm daily but I go in daily. Not surprised they aren’t happy with you leaving at lunchtime.

Original poster
jamcorrosion · 12/01/2026 20:44

Allthecoloursoftherainbow4 · 12/01/2026 20:23

Yes so now they've clarified it and said you need to be in the full day, so you need to do that.
Its pretty obvious you are looking for a way to argue that because you've been doing it for a while it's an established pattern and you want to keep doing it.

People doing what you've been doing are exactly why wfh is being rolled back from all of us - it's taking the piss and attending the office when it suits you rather than recognising you are paid for a full time job and if your employer says they want you in all day, you go in all day.
Stop trying to fight it and pick holes and bloody attend the office the full day - otherwise before you know it the company will say now it's 4 days a week.... To try and get people like you attending the office properly.

Show quote history

It’s not taking the piss and I never did it with that intention - it’s always been a very flexible workplace and I’ve always checked that it’s fine before I do things like this.

I have offered to stay later - but I can’t be there for a full day it’s impossible as I woukdnt get back in time for pickup. There’s nobody can do it for me as I’m a single parent. I still do my job and I do it well, I have a great reputation at work.

Workplaces have had to become more flexible over the years for these type of situations - one of the reasons I took this job was for the flexibility and I’m worried that it can change so fast

OP posts:
ReadingSoManyThreads · 12/01/2026 20:44

The people in my DH's company who take the piss like this are always the first to be laid off when the redundancies come around...

Sausagedog101 · 12/01/2026 20:44

I should add. I have a hybrid policy too. 2 days a week in the office. My children do shorter days in nursery on the days I WFH. I work 4 days.

Candleabra · 12/01/2026 20:43

Clefable · 12/01/2026 20:14

I think you are looking at it very mathematically whereas work will be looking at it more pragmatically. 51% is technically a majority but it’s unlikely to be in the spirit of the flexibility they offer. I would assume in this case that majority means most of the day, which to me means about 80+% of the working day.

How has everyone else interpreted it?

Yes definitely. You may be technically correct, but your interpretation is clearly not in the spirit in which the wording was intended. They were probably trying to be kind to allow people to leave a few mins early to do pick ups or whatever.
I imagine if you push on this they will change the wording to a less ambiguous “full day”. So I’d make the adjustments to your day now whilst you still have some leeway to suit you.