To have to out with my manager.

[anxiouselephants]

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!

The point about the impact on those who cannot wfh is well made and seems to be another reason to approach in a calm manner. I'd suggest starting the conversation on Monday and not leaving it to the last minute. Local authority or HSE can then be approached (whichever applies) if this all falls on deaf ears.

@anxiouselephants I think all of those things you mentioned in your response to my questions are what you need to bring up with your manager.

You didn’t mention any of those in your OP so it just looked as if you didn’t want to go back to the office. Those are genuine concerns and it’s those that need to be raised.

It reads like it’s you who doesn’t want to go back op. I’d watch how I phrase it.

@CoRhona

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

Why though? If a particular group of staff can work just as well from home, why should they have to go back in? Just because WFH doesn't work for another group of staff isn't really a good enough reason.

feel like a messenger in the middle
That's your role - part and parcel of being the team manager.

My advice would be to send a non-confrontational email stating that some members of your team feel uncomfortable returning, especially since you have demonstrated you can do the job efficiently as things currently stand. State the reasons - lack of space, unnecessary increased risk between you, teaching staff and any students on site, precedents set at other sites plus any other valid points. Say you agree with them and also feel uncomfortable about returning so soon and would like to discuss it further.

If covid hadn’t of happened would you WFH? If so you have a case of not suck it up like the rest of us who’ve been in all the time

@IEat

If covid hadn’t of happened would you WFH? If so you have a case of not suck it up like the rest of us who’ve been in all the time

That's not really the point is it? Covid has shown organisations that there are different ways of working, particularly with the evolution of technology. If the new ways are just as efficient and staff prefer them, why on earth shouldn't it continue?

Just because you have to be in to undertake your work, that's absolutely not a good enough reason for others to have to work that way.

I hated working from home by the way.

You cannot rely on the 2 members who say they will return to be there full time with none of the others, it's not fair on them (I've seen this happen, one guy in a team of 6 was happy to come in, now he's stuck on his own every single day while the others point blank refuse to come in, his manager included!). If you really want to push to remain WFH you need to look at a rota system, and continuity, as fairness to all your staff, and if the management won't go for it ultimately your staff need to consider their employment options from thereafter.

I'd suggest a curt "I am aware of your concerns, I will get back to you as and when I have an update" to stop people pestering you.

I would think it wise to send an email to all of your team thanking them for flagging concerns and reassuring them that as soon as you have an update you will let them know. Make it clear to the group that you are managing the situation rather than only speaking to them individually as and when they share worries.