No more WFH or flexible working

[Lizzie523]

Been WFH for a year now - about 6 months ago the company MD said we had done brilliantly, was thrilled by how we had risen to the challenge etc. We were then told the future would likely be hybrid working & we all had to complete detailed consultations about our preferences RE this. Personally ive been more productive overall & I feel a mix would work well.

Imagine our shock to now be told we are all to go back to full time at the office 5 days a week. They said they would no longer consider the results of the consultations and wished they hadn't done it - many of us tried to appeal this but were just told 'no'.

I moved during the pandemic which means I am just far enough away that 5 days a week in the office is going to be a hassle (not to mention awful for the environment).

We work with a few people with young kids and it obviously isn't inclusive for disabled people either. Our main competitors have already confirmed their commitment to remote working.

Is everyone else headed back to the office or am I right in thinking most places are being more flexible now?

I wfh before the pandemic, but it was actually a hybrid model. It was fine. It is not that difficult to organise.
Some people on here read as if they know nothing about how wfh worked before the pandemic.

I would go back to work but start looking for another job with a company that is happy with WFH of flexible working......market research since the pandemic has shown that many employees would like the option of flexible working, if your employer is not willing to move with the times, then his staff with move to other employers who will.

@poppycat10

People say they are more productive wfh but that's mostly just not true. Every single company/public sector I have dealt with since March 2020 has been worse than before

I'd place a bet on that being down to furloughing staff and nothing to do with where the staff are working.

If staff are working from home and don't have adequate tech 15 months in, that's nothing to do with the staff and everything to do with the employer.

With regard to your last point, whether it is the fault of the employee or employer, doesn't change the fact that the staff are less productive. I can't see anyone winning an argument to wfh by telling their employer they might be less productive due to inadequate tech but since that's not their fault they should wfh anyway.

I just came back to say more than a quarter of the workforce have resigned since I posted this thread and all have moved on to better paid employment.

I'm still searching and taking your advice for now @DebHagland. I resisted the initial urge to quit and thought about it more sensibly. It's quite sad watching everyone leave.

It’s sad when you lose colleagues but your company will then employ new people who know the score and understand they will be working from the office. On that basis, you are probably best upping your hunt for another job as it will be the accepted, post-pandemic norm in your company. At least you know there are jobs out there for you offering the conditions you want (and potentially more pay).

I'm in tech, where a lot of people already worked flexibly anyway. Any company that tried to 'force' staff back to the office would lose their staff to competitors that support flexible working.

Any firm that's done well with WFH trying to go back now will look like a dinosaur.

"He also said that the investment banks and similar were also doing the same." you also mentioned insurance.

Aviva, wfh ft
Natwest 1 day at office
Barc 2 days at office
lloyds, same
Rbs, wfh 1, 2 day at office but flexible

Jpm, gs, etc. They insist to be dianasaurs. They pay high, employees burn out quick, so they'll suffer with retention issues in the long run until bosses retire.

*dinosaurs that is...

Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps the firms which only offer ‘working from home’ will become full of older people and less change orientated (dinosaur firms 🙂) whilst those which maintain an office will attract younger people and keep things fresh! I can’t imagine many young people will choose to work in isolation, especially as they have worked in schools throughout the pandemic. Who knows how it will all pan out? It really is a new world out there.