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Original poster

Wfh and being in the office- how often should I go ?

78 replies

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 12:20

I wfh have been since I started at the company. I travel up to the office if really needed for workshops/events etc.
I haven't been there for about 7 months but I've been asked to attend meetings about 4 times and I've declined (I can't afford it)
There is a workshop and team building day in the new year just before payday and I'm getting pressure to attend. I don't know what to do.
I've got a new line manager whose team go to the office a few times a week and she's pushing me to be onsite more.
I also live 4 hours from work so need to stay over everytime I go up there.
If you were work at what point would it be a problem?

OP posts:
thedamnseason · 09/12/2023 13:56

If you claim travel to your normal place of work plus accommodation then that's taxable. It isn't a legitimate expense because it's your work base.
I'm surprised they'll pay for it at all.

You could argue that them allowing you to work from home for 2 years sets a precedent but in reality they're not being unreasonable expecting you to come in for meetings.

Floofydawg · 09/12/2023 13:57

Bloody hell I've never heard so many excuses in my life.

SylvieLaufeydottir · 09/12/2023 14:00

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 13:45

When I started I asked how often I'd need to be in the office and was told it would be 2 to 3 times a year. Dh was working so I could afford it.
Now we're trying to cover everything on my salary it's not possible to have a floating x amount of money for work trips.
I don't drive so its bus-3 trains- taxi to the office.

It doesn't matter what you were informally told then. The contract you signed says "office-based". It was foolish to sign an office-based contract expecting to only come in a few times a year, and more foolish to refuse to attend things when (rarely) asked.

Cheeesus · 09/12/2023 14:02

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 13:52

I do understand that they are being reasonable. They pay me back and I get to stay in a nice hotel, good food and lovely people.
I know it's my fault for being so far away. I can't get a late train as I can't get home after our buses stop at 9 and it's nigh on impossible to get a taxi to our village

If you can’t come back late the next day then come back earlier? So come down the day before and work till lunchtime the day after. Might be better than never going in. You could try and work on the train.

tralalass · 09/12/2023 14:10

Agree with a PP - show willing and make sure you're there for the important stuff.

You'll always get the black & whiters on this kind of thread stating the obvious 'you have an office working contract' but the reality for most businesses is that if you're a valued team member/recruitment in your field is tricky, they will be more inclined to work with you to find a solution that suits you both.

Make as little fuss as possible and get yourself in when you can.

Is it possible to use a company credit card for travel? You could explore this option, especially so close to Christmas, even as a one off.

Ginmonkeyagain · 09/12/2023 14:13

You need to go in to the office when asked or aplly for a full time WFH contract. You were very foolish to accept an in office contract when you live a 4 hour commute from the office.

Back in late 2020 my workplace started telling new applicants that regardless of the current WFH/hybrid situation, they were expected to be within a reasonable commute of at least one office (we have 6 offices across the UK) and everyone has to be formally attached to an "home" office.

rookiemere · 09/12/2023 14:14

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 13:52

I do understand that they are being reasonable. They pay me back and I get to stay in a nice hotel, good food and lovely people.
I know it's my fault for being so far away. I can't get a late train as I can't get home after our buses stop at 9 and it's nigh on impossible to get a taxi to our village

Does your DH drive ?
If so can't he facilitate some of this ?

WillowTit · 09/12/2023 14:15

you can order a taxi in advance though, to meet you off the train

movedtothecountry · 09/12/2023 14:17

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 12:30

My contract states I work from the office but in reality people work from home. People who live locally go in approximately once a week.
They knew I didn't live locally when I started over 2 years ago and it wasn't a problem.
Now we've had a management reshuffle it could be.

If you have signed a contract to say you work in the office and haven't subsequently signed a flex work agreement to change that, then you have to go in when they ask you to and pay for it yourself. Otherwise they could say you are resigning because you are unable to fulfil the terms of your contract. I think you need to urgently talk to your manager and explain the situation and see what if anything can be done in terms of flexibility.

TeenLifeMum · 09/12/2023 14:22

In these circumstances I’d be aiming to be in the office once a month and if you’re staying over I’d make the most of it and work 2 days in the office.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 14:53

Thanks everyone. You've given me a reality check. It could be a lot worse and I need to suck it up and go if I want to keep my job. I've just been checking cheaper hotels and I could nearly half my costs. I might insist on staying in an alternative hotel .
Also try and roll over expenses to the next trip.

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 09/12/2023 15:02

You need a credit card, better salary and a new DH

rookiemere · 09/12/2023 15:07

I would talk privately to your manager and explain the reason why you won't be staying in the same hotel, otherwise it may - on top of the fact you've not been there in person for 7 months - look standoff ish.

It's highly possible they will be able to resolve the situation.

SheilaFentiman · 09/12/2023 15:30

coxesorangepippin · 09/12/2023 15:02

You need a credit card, better salary and a new DH

A new DH? Because he lost his job? Charming.

LlynTegid · 09/12/2023 15:34

Cheaper hotels sounds the sensible option, glad you have decided upon that.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 09/12/2023 15:48

I'd expect to go in for things like teambuilding/workshop days. It's definitely worth asking for expenses even if your contract actually says office-based. At least for the hotel if eg there is an evening meal or similar.

You say you can't afford it, but you'll be much poorer if you end up with management who say you have to go in more often, or decide to let you go.

I am a keen fan of WFH but I think not going in for 7 months is taking the mick.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 09/12/2023 15:50

PS if they all want you to stay in the same hotel they must be paying for it!

Surely!

enchantedsquirrelwood · 09/12/2023 15:54

If the issue is that you can't pay and then wait to be reimbursed I'd definitely talk to them (eg train ticket).

But if they want you to stay in a certain hotel they have to pay for it and should be arranging that centrally.

I did once refuse to incur expenses upfront for a job because I couldn't afford it and they have me a cheque that I was able to pay into my account the same day. Nowadays it would be even better as they'd do a bank transfer.

lauramum85 · 09/12/2023 16:18

How much are people spending to be receiving free gifts? I spend roughly around £100 a week. Mainly on food.

lauramum85 · 09/12/2023 16:18

Wrong post sorry 😂

Oblomov23 · 09/12/2023 16:22

Why would it cost you £500, and why do you need 2 nights. You can get a cheap hotel or a sleep in a bedroom of someone's house on air bnb for £50 in certain cities! You can get up early drive to the office and then come home, no overnight stay at all. Once a month shouldn't be an issue.
All those covid people moving hours away from the office in Covid or taking a job 4 hours away are now regretting it.

lljkk · 09/12/2023 16:29

Look into advance purchase & split tickets for the train options, OP

MuckyPlucky · 09/12/2023 16:52

Stressedgiraffe · 09/12/2023 14:53

Thanks everyone. You've given me a reality check. It could be a lot worse and I need to suck it up and go if I want to keep my job. I've just been checking cheaper hotels and I could nearly half my costs. I might insist on staying in an alternative hotel .
Also try and roll over expenses to the next trip.

Why has it only just occurred to you, after reading these posts, that you might not need to spend £500 after all?!?!

A ‘can-do’ approach would’ve led you to have primarily thought about the cheapest option of hotel. Your ‘don’t want to’ approach led you to wildly inflate how much it’d cost, byimmediately leaping to an expensive hotel option.

It’s really evident you just can’t be arsed, and are grasping for excuses to legitimise it in your mind. Go to your place of work, like we all do.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 09/12/2023 16:53

If your place of work is home and you are required to visit the office then you should be entitled to claim travel expenses.

MuckyPlucky · 09/12/2023 16:55

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 09/12/2023 16:53

If your place of work is home and you are required to visit the office then you should be entitled to claim travel expenses.

She’s stayed up thread that her official place of work is the office

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