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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have to out with my manager.

34 replies

anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:01

I'm a middle manager and work within education (back office no student contact).

We have been working from home since January, I have a team of 6 people 2 of which are happy to be in the office full time.

We have been told that from the 8th March we are expected back into the office full time.

Now these last few weeks I've had multiple meetings with my manager. They have said that things are going great and my teams productivity has boomed. We are currently performing the best out of the group and no concerns have been raised.
I am also ensuring that all deadlines are met, meetings that would have happened in person are rescheduled to teams meeting or phone calls to ensure all are happy. The team have not dropped the ball at all during this time or the previous lockdown.

I would like to speak with my manager and explain that I do not feel that a full return is necessary for my team. Those that are happy and wanting to be in the office should be able to do so and the rest of us should have the flexibility to choose. As long as the office is covered I do not see any issues.
AIBU to call them out on their plan to return full time. What is most frustrating is that at least 3 days a week they work from home so it really is double standards....
help!

OP posts:
UserID779 · 13/02/2021 19:03

You wouldn’t be unreasonable to discuss it with her in a calm and professional manner, rather than ‘having it out’ with her

Aquamarine1029 · 13/02/2021 19:04

"Call them out", "have it out?" Are you purposely looking for a fight? It sure sounds like you are. Can't you have a calm, mature discussion with them?

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:04

@UserID779 sorry just feeling frustrated today. Especially as I have members of my team expressing concerns to me 24/7 and I'm just the messenger in the middle

OP posts:
MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 13/02/2021 19:05

Just make sure you approach your boss with a less confrontational tone.. otherwise it won't go well at all.

CSIblonde · 13/02/2021 19:09

Write a calm, non ranting script first. Always helps me when I'm wound up & absolutely had it. And bare in mind Boris is still dithering about whether to end lockdown & essential travel only & WFH if poss rules before April. Yes, April .

RedHelenB · 13/02/2021 19:12

You can by all.neans present your case but I don't think it unreasonable for them to expect you to return to your place of work when lock down is relaxed.

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:12

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty just frustrated today. Team members contacting me constantly to express their concerns and ask me if there is any update. I'm worried myself and feel like a messenger in the middle

OP posts:
VodselForDinner · 13/02/2021 19:13

You’re approaching this in the wrong way.

Being aggressive and confrontational will not help your cause.

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:14

@VodselForDinner I have a calm approach scripted

Just frustrated tonight

OP posts:
Northofsomewhere · 13/02/2021 19:16

Surely it's good your team is coming to you - If I have a problem I take it to my manager who then escalates if needed. I thought that's how most places worked.

I definitely second the above, if they're wanting everyone back in (which is equal, all or nothing) then you need a strong and we'll reasoned argument worded professionally as it currently just sound like you're gonna go in there and say "I want me and my team to work from home" and no negotiation. Also be prepared for other teams to not be happy with the situation especially if they're meeting their targets too. All or nothing is the easiest way for your employer.

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:18

@Northofsomewhere everyone else in the back office of our site is going back flexibly or WFH as a permanent change (unless they want to be in the office)
Our other sites and my mirroring teams have been allowed to look at a flexible model
Our team are the newbies as it's a new site so we've been told we can't.

OP posts:
Okokokbear · 13/02/2021 19:19

Yeah as pp's have said talk about it like a professional adult don't go looking for a fight. Also it's fairly normal if you have concerns and your team have concerns that you would raise them with your manager. Is this not a normal culture in your workplace?

VodselForDinner · 13/02/2021 19:36

[quote anxiouselephants]@VodselForDinner I have a calm approach scripted

Just frustrated tonight [/quote]
Have your team been in contact with you today?

If so, is Saturday a working day?

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 13/02/2021 19:44

@VodselForDinner we don't work Saturdays but they have contacted me. This is what I mean I totally understand their concerns but it's just frustrating that it's constant!

OP posts:
VodselForDinner · 13/02/2021 19:57

[quote anxiouselephants]@VodselForDinner we don't work Saturdays but they have contacted me. This is what I mean I totally understand their concerns but it's just frustrating that it's constant! [/quote]
Then it’s not your manager you need to have a difficult conversation with, it’s your team.

peak2021 · 13/02/2021 20:01

A calm approach, and the main part must be that the government has not announced any change to the 'work from home if you can' guidance. Assuming you consider education to be a part of the public sector (of sorts) then guidance from government should be followed.

Indeed no decision has been announced to change the current restrictions or which ones will be lifted.

Hankunamatata · 13/02/2021 20:11

IF lockdown ends 8th March and schools go back then you can see why they want everyone back, esp if your team is newish

Daphnise · 13/02/2021 20:13

Once more senior people have made their mind up, the calm rational discussion advocated by so many here has no effect.

Even a more firm approach shied away from by posters may have little chance if the order (that all must return to the office) has come "from above" and those the OP is speaking to have no authority to vary it.

So I'm afraid that it looks like any of the good points you may clearly be able to make (performance etc) may just be ignored.

That of course doesn't mean you must try your best. People here just don't know the organisation you work for- in the ones I knew I'd give you a 40% chance of convincing them- so good luck!

RB68 · 13/02/2021 20:14

I think what you should be addressing is the H&S aspect and take it from that angle - its clear to me that it is unklikely your team has the right space for people to be in and windows need to be open etc and if there are a few in never mind alot

Then there is a heating issue - we have feels like -6 temps here at the mo

MintyMabel · 13/02/2021 22:51

I don't think it unreasonable for them to expect you to return to your place of work when lock down is relaxed.

Of course it is. Her team have proven they can work from home and still work productively. Perhaps a flexible pattern works better for the team members, perhaps they have family members who are vulnerable to Covid, perhaps they themselves feel at risk. People can have myriad reasons why WFH is a better option for them. If they are able to do it, it is unreasonable for an employer to demand an office return if the job doesn’t require it. Make no mistake, from here on in, employers who still have an antiquated “place of work” attitude after this will fail to attract decent staff.

Then it’s not your manager you need to have a difficult conversation with, it’s your team.

Why? Because they contacted her at the weekend? I’ll often fire off emails if I am catching up of a weekend. Nobody has to respond if they don’t want to. I also know if my boss is showing online, I can send him a message and he’ll usually respond. Nobody needs to have a “difficult conversation” with me.

PinkiOcelot · 13/02/2021 23:39

Why are you and your staff so concerned about going back in to the office? Would there be no social distancing? Would the office be deemed not COVID secure?

Surely it all depends on the outcome of the talks on 22nd February?

Perhaps it’s because I’ve been in the office since day 1, that I can’t understand some people’s reticence to actually going in to work.

CoRhona · 14/02/2021 01:51

I think YABU. If teachers have to go back, so should back office staff.

Original poster
anxiouselephants · 14/02/2021 09:30

@CoRhona interesting you say that. It tends to be teaching staff who would say 'I'm surprised you're in' and mention the fact that there should be as little staff in as possible at this time.

Saying that though we are the only back office people having to go back (this was before this lockdown) with only willing colleagues being in the office.

From my experience teachers would like to minimise the risk as much as possible and come across as little people as they physically can

OP posts:
Original poster
anxiouselephants · 14/02/2021 09:35

@PinkiOcelot it is as covid secure as we can make it but it's not brilliant. We also don't have a functioning radiator in our room so having windows open is an unpleasant experience to say the least. It is impossible to stay 2m sort due to the size of the room and the amount of staff.

I guess we're concerned due to the sheer amount of cases that we had when we returned last time. We had a couple of members of staff who we would normally work closely with who caught covid and ended up in hospital, one in the ICU. We've also had a couple of members of the group unfortunately die after catching covid.

It is very raw and very real. You cannot social distance in the corridors, unfortunately our students couldn't care less that they should stay apart as much as possible and some staff members are the same.

OP posts:
Lougle · 14/02/2021 09:38

[quote anxiouselephants]@VodselForDinner we don't work Saturdays but they have contacted me. This is what I mean I totally understand their concerns but it's just frustrating that it's constant! [/quote]
It sounds like you need to establish some boundaries. Why are they contacting you at the weekend? You're not at work and there isn't anything vital that needs addressing, so they shouldn't be contacting you.

Your employer doesn't have to grant WFH - they have to consider it if there is a flexible working request, but they don't have to grant it.

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