To be worried by this

[LegMeChicken]

DP recently started a new remote job in Reading (while we live in the North). Office ‘once a month’ at most, he was told.
Company gave him a ‘standard’ contract stating his place of work as Reading. They said they were revamping all contracts come the new tax year, this was temp.

The company announced new benefits etc last week. But no contract changes.

AIBU to think that this means they could force him in more often? And that it means less money, as he’s not being paid expenses and can’t claim tax relief.

For context he’s not the only person WFH, there are a few others. It’s a small company with 60+ employees.

Is there any recourse if he has it in writing that he doesn’t have to come in? I’ve told him to get that, and call ACAS but there doesn’t seem much to be done…

You are correct, Reading is his place of work and they can ask him to come in. He needed to query it before agreeing to it.

I mean query it not accept the contract.

Yes if its not in his contract then they can, and as Reading is listed as his place of work rather than a home address then as you say he won't be able to claim expenses. Chances are they won't make him come in more often, I think a lot are still seeing what other companies are doing before making huge changes to contracts with big repercussions.

I would ask if they have a flexible working policy and see what this says. If they have confirmed in writing that his normal working pattern is one day a month in Reading, then this provides some reassurance, but I think you are right to be a little concerned. A new boss could look to change and increase days in Reading. If this is 2 days a week even, then this is a totally different proposition.