to hate 'fence-sitters' and authority with equal passion!

[Ceci03]

So an issue has come up in work. Some of you will agree with me, some won't about the actual issue. But what's bugging me is the dictatorship of workplaces, and also the fence-sitters.
So, an email newsletter came around - comes out every day - and in the corner there were a few lines saying that all admin staff were required to come back to work 3 days a week starting in March.
Everyone surprised, and taken aback at both how it was announced - in a newsletter, nobody had been warned, or advised.
We've been on a 2 day week since covid started - when there wasnt a lockdown.
now a lot of you will say, what's the big deal. but just accept for a minute that a lot of us, all of us I would say, are happy with 2 days a week. We are doing everything we need to. All work can be completed from home, but we are in 2days per week per person to be public-facing. We're talking about 1-2 queries per day at the counter, so it never actually needs more than 1 person 'on duty'.
At our team meeting the Team Leader just states that this is what is happening and there's nothing we can do about it. Even though it will mean 4 of us will be in some days, and some people may have to go to a small cupboard office. From chatting to colleagues I knew that we were all unhappy about the change, and dont understand the rationale for it, or who it will actually benefit. So I said to the team leader could we push back on the decision, and see if we can get the 'powers that be' to listen to us. And to actually look at what we are doing.
She said we could, but made it clear she didnt think we should query it.
So I took some notes from what others said at the meeting, and circulated it as bullet points to other departments in our area. Mostly the response was positive, and people were happy that someone was prepared to put the effort in and try and get the higher ups to listen.
But one person in particular was very enthusiastic, one day, but the next day she emailed me and said she wanted her name nowhere near it.
Other people have simply ignored me, which I think is rude, but there you go.
I'm just annoyed as if we do effect change, and we allowed some flexibility, and can stay on a 2-day week all these people will benefit.
It makes me feel I'm sticking my neck out, for what.
This whole workplace and the attitude of management is sickening to me. Maybe I should just look for another job.
AIBU

I think your colleagues are maybe reading the room and realise that challenging will not be received well or likely to be successful so they'd rather not blog their copybook for something that's unlikely to change anyway.

I suppose it is 'blot your copybook' territory.
Should it be though.
I mean, do workplaces want 'yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir' type employees.
Guess so.
I'd say 90% of colleagues are on board.

I'm sure they're mostly on board but in old fashioned work places there can be a perception that the people who shout the loudest about wanting to stay at home are the ones doing the least so I know that in my company people were afraid of kicking up too much .
Every company needs a gobby one though 😜

Perhaps the people who aren't replying to you want to be back in the office more.

The people who aren’t replying might not care about the change.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with fence sitting. You pick your battles, and sometimes people might not be happy with something but are willing to suck it up bearing in mind the bigger picture.

People don’t have to involve themselves if they don’t choose to. You wish to try and get the decision changed - that is your choice.
Some people will not care that much, some people will actually be happy with the decision, some people will not wish to put their job prospects in jeopardy. They do not have to justify themselves to you.
It sounds like, for the most part, they’re just not bothered enough to cause a fuss.

People who agree with the cause and are vocal behind the scenes but won't speak up when the time comes are the worst people imo.

Regardless of the specifics of the issue at hand, there's another thread running on best piece of advice you've been given.

One of the best pieces of advice I was given in a similar situation was

Don't shoot the gun somebody else loaded!

And I think it applies here. Everyone is very happy for you to be the "awkward" one, the potential fall guy if it all goes pear shaped! They'll just backpedal "wasn't me boss"

Never ever represent others unless in an official capacity where it's fully recognised and acknowledged you are speaking for others.

Trust me

Oh perhaps goes without saying I stupidly ignored said advice and it backfired on me massively!

Never made that mistake again!

It does not matter what the issue is. Few people will stick their head above the parapet. I don't know what it is like where you live, but where I am employers are struggling to get good people. Look around elsewhere.

@Ceci03

I suppose it is 'blot your copybook' territory. Should it be though. I mean, do workplaces want 'yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir' type employees. Guess so. I'd say 90% of colleagues are on board.

The real issue is that firms full of staff just agreeing, are not effective firms.

So I had 10 people sign up, but 4 have pulled out as they don't want their names to be known.

I dunno. As I get older I struggle to understand this mindset.

I'm understanding how bloody hard it must have been for women to get the vote, or equal rights, or better working conditions. People are just so fickle or something. I mean what are they scared about? Everyone is moaning and saying they want to stay on a 2-day week. But only 4 of use will sign a letter asking for this???

Think I'll just give up and do whatever I'm told. No questions asked.

I used to work with someone who in her eyes would fight for what was right. She made such a fuss about small things that everyone got so bored of her constant moaning and mostly ignored her. It was a shame actually as when a bigger issue came up she had also given up and we had to just put up with the management orders.

@Chanandlerbong1 I don't get your point. Are you saying you wish she had been the 'gobby one' and spoken up about the big issue?

I've never said boo to anyone at work before - always been a "good girl" and not complained or moaned and done exactly what was asked without comment.

The thing is you sound like a bit if a loose cannon with the feisty "Raise the barricades! Stick it to the man!" attitude followed by a petulant "Think I'll just give up and do whatever I'm told. No questions asked." You don't sound like someone who is going to say what they want to say through the correct channels and see it through in a professional mature way.

And it may be that your colleagues always recognised they would be required to return to the office, are fine with it, and are happy with the flexibility of WFH on the other days.

Maybe they've signed under pressure / in the heat of the moment but later decided they didn't want to risk their job. Although in my experience people in the workplace love to moan but actually when they have the opportunity to try and change things can't be arsed.

I see your frustration, but, as others have said putting your name to something means just that, accepting any consequences and dealing with them. Maybe these 4 agree in principle but don't wish to do anything further, and that is their decision to make. Sometimes it's annoying but there's a big difference between talk and action. Send it with those who wish to. Sometimes others will gain from other's ability to speak up, other times only those who are able to push for things will benefit.

Can you negotiate a 2 day contract for yourself 'for family reasons' or whatever, or just because you like doing the two days, sod the others.

I understand from your posts that you were office based pre covid?
Maybe people just accept the fact that work is "going back to normal" ... and there really isn't much anyone can do about it. (Other than finding a new WFH job.)

@Ylvamoon

I understand from your posts that you were office based pre covid? Maybe people just accept the fact that work is "going back to normal" ... and there really isn't much anyone can do about it. (Other than finding a new WFH job.)

Yeah it's just frustrating that we are heading in the direction of moving back to exactly how things were before covid, as if nothing has happened. It's very disappointing. Yeah I'm looking around for something else. I'm not sure what "consequences" people who sign the letter/petition will have to face? I mean they will probably just say no, and that will be the end of it. And I am going through the "proper channels". I'm the person who has listened to colleagues, and has written it all down, and is taking action? I think maybe there is an attitude here that it doesnt matter what you say or do the 'powers that be' will make the decision with little to no real consultation. they pay lipservice to it, but never take anything us 'underlings' say into account. Everyone I have spoken to wants to stay on 2-day per week. That's out of a department of about 30. Maybe they are just all jaded and cant be arsed. It's a shame. As they will look at the letter with the 6 names on it, and will dismiss it.

@Polyanthus2

Can you negotiate a 2 day contract for yourself 'for family reasons' or whatever, or just because you like doing the two days, sod the others.

No they won't do this as they say 'if we do it for you we will have to do it for everyone'

My husband of almost 30yrs began having an affair last year. I discovered it the day it started. He has openly & brazenly continued it since then. He spends half the time at our house & half at his mistresses house, going freely whenever he likes, parking outside her house, in the local village, for all to see. We never know when he's going to announce "I'm staying in (local village) tonight"'. He suits himself. Disappears for 3 days & returns & walks into the house, smiling. He expects to sit at the table with us & have meals with us. He has flaunted his affair in front of me & the local village for 6-months. Everyone knows he goes freely between our house & his mistress house. One child has been badly affected by this & is often distraught. The other older children can't wait to get out of the house. He behaves as if he is doing absolutely nothing wrong. There is no legal basis for getting him out. Am I being unreasonable to divorce this man?

@NotGonnaBeTakenForARide
I think you've posted on the wrong thread.

I want to see the answer to the poll 'Am I being unreasonable?'.

Maybe those who don’t want to be involved prefer being in the office more?

If 10 out of 14 have signed up it is still worthwhile- not sure why you think otherwise.