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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

My employer lied about flexible working - I want to leave.

196 replies

ConfusieSusie · 18/04/2022 09:41

I joined a new organisation late last year, they offered me (along with the rest of the company) a Hybrid working arrangement whereby we would attend the office 3 days a week and WFH the other two days. We also had flexibility to WFH in instances where any of our children were sent home from school or nursery due to displaying any symptoms (this is an illness policy within school & childcare services across the board where I live).

What has actually transpired, is that we are required to be in the office every day, and MAY be able to WFH if it is absolutely necessary. However, if we take flexibility in a given week, we have to "make up for it" the next week by showing up every day. I am commuting 90 minutes each way and explained at the outset that flexibility was enormously important to me because of this, and would be one of the most influential factors in my decision to take any job offer. I feel completely duped, the majority of people doing my job in other companies are either on a Hybrid model or fully remote.

AIBU to hand in my notice? I have never left a job after only a few months but I feel very strongly about this.

OP posts:

snazzyshoes · 19/04/2022 06:43

This happened to me too. I lasted 4 months. Never regretted leaving.

Leedsfan247 · 19/04/2022 18:27

At least talk to them about it without making any threats

niugboo · 19/04/2022 18:32

Flexible working can be specified, by default if they do that it ceases to be specified. Surprising how many people can’t work that out. Also, as I’m sure you’re aware, your rights are this stage are only in relation to protected characteristics. Even if they had written in to your contract office 3 days / home 2 days they can change this at any time and terminate your contract if you’re unwilling to work as required.

To answer your question though, no. You’re not unreasonable to resign. You took the job based on information that transpired to be untrue. Off you go.

Roco11 · 19/04/2022 18:38

You are not being unreasonable. Verbal agreement is as binding as written agreement and forms part of your contract. See if you have any reference to your conversations in any email. If you can evidence this you could potentially sue for constructive dismissal.

fetchacloth · 19/04/2022 19:03

This doesn't seem like a good employer OP.
If I was in your situation, I would be inclined to vote with my feet.

Foolsrule · 19/04/2022 19:19

@PinkTonic - is there childcare available though? Providers where we are shut down during the pandemic and haven’t been replaced. There is such a demand! All the local child minders are full. Thankfully my employer is aware of this and prepared to work with us, rather than think we’re ‘entitled’ for not being able to do the impossible.

pinkpantherpink · 19/04/2022 19:35

Curious that your company is doing this when everyone else is moving to hybrid working

Mandyjack · 19/04/2022 19:42

If you have evidence like the original job ad and a contract you could quit and sue for constructive dismissal

TheKeatingFive · 19/04/2022 19:46

If you have evidence like the original job ad and a contract you could quit and sue for constructive dismissal

I don't think the OP has even an email tbh

Badbadbunny · 19/04/2022 20:06

@Mandyjack

If you have evidence like the original job ad and a contract you could quit and sue for constructive dismissal

Not if they've been there less than 2 years.

Angrywife · 19/04/2022 20:47

[quote ConfusieSusie]@returntoUK I wouldn't say that would be possible, nor would I be interested in pursuing it. As I'm on probation until next month, there would be no point trying to leverage anything!

I have never left a job after such a short time and would feel bad doing so. However, a colleague of mine whose son has a chronic cough which will take some weeks to clear has been told that if she can't attend the office to do her work that she should consider leaving, he job can and has been done from home the last 2 years. I just feel that's an awful way to treat someone, especially as working parents of young children are very stressed at the moment trying to manage absences and new school policies for illness.[/quote]
Sounds like they may have some constructive dismissal issues to face soon!

BoredZelda · 19/04/2022 21:53

None of the companies which I interviewed with at the time had flexible working arrangements written into policy.

Same. My contract says nothing about flexible working but I’ve had an agreement with bosses since day one. It just refers me to company handbook, which I’m not sure even exists as I’ve never seen it. There was also an agreement to pay a professional fee which, they agreed to at interview but I later discovered that wasn’t policy. I reminded them about the conversation and they paid it.

They have never questioned my flexibility and it has been extended since covid as they are far more open to WFH now. If they had gone back on it when I started I would have left as I had other offers which gave flexibility at the time.

Mollymoostoo · 19/04/2022 22:00

@ConfusieSusie

None of the companies which I interviewed with at the time had flexible working arrangements written into policy. I trusted that the conversations I had at interview stage and the ultimate promise of flexibility as part of their company culture would be upheld.

I do understand employers' preference for office based work, but equally many companies have chosen to trust their employees and hold them accountable for what they do, not where they do it from.

I have two interviews lined up for next week, one is an equally senior role 10 minutes from my house with a software company, so regardless of whether that was on-site or Hybrid, it would be so convenient and I would have quite literally hours more time with my kids each day. So perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, who knows.

Good luck with the interviews. Really hope you get the one close to home, you deserve to be treated better.

custardbear · 19/04/2022 22:03

I interview a lot and we're careful to say it's a hubris at the moment but all expected in the office 2-3 days a week not, which will increased to full time when possible - complain!

hungryzilla · 19/04/2022 23:59

I would suggest, if you think you could tolerate it a little longer and instead look for a new job so you still have an income. If it's unbearable then I totally understand. That is such a poor move on their part and a reason why organisations are unable to retain staff.

I am currently going through a similar thing so totally understand why you are annoyed. I feel exactly the same way but am looking for a new job instead.

timeisnotaline · 20/04/2022 05:20

In the interests of making my point, before quitting I would email my
manager, cc my entire team at a minimum, preferably the whole office and say hi x, we agreed in my hiring discussions I would do 2 wfh days a week. I’m willing to be somewhat flexible with which 2, of course that’s as long as the flexibility goes both ways. For this week however my wfh days will be Tuesday and Wednesday (or whatever days you wanted) and we can chat about next week.
then flatly refuse to come in and see how far they take it! It will cheer others up immensely to see your email, trust me! Obviously keep your
mental focus on the interview and I hope you get the other job. It will be crystal clear to management why you have left, and possibly the tipping point for other staff.

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 20/04/2022 10:09

Yeah do what timeisnotaline says if you want to look like an absolute nutter.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 23/04/2022 16:30

First speak with them and / or find another job - then, and only then, hand in your notice

ThinWomansBrain · 23/04/2022 16:54

Even if not in your contract, was hybrid/flexible working stated in your offer letter or the job ad? Also, was any of the discussion about contracts not being updated in writing - plus being in HR you have evidence of other people saying the same thing - you can't all be making it up!

that said, the company/managers seem like a bunch of unprofessional twats - do you really want to work for them?

Just be honest about why you're leaving so quickly - concise and not embittered - I don't think a prospective employer would hold it against you in the selection process.
I recently left a job that I'd started at the end of last year when I decided I didn't want to stay at the end of the probation period - different reasons, but I'm really happy in my new role, no regrets at all - and the short gap between roles pretty much covered byholiday pay.

ThinWomansBrain · 23/04/2022 16:56

& good luck with the interviews😄

yellowsuninthesky · 23/04/2022 17:30

Not unreasonable to leave at all OP.

I had a job where my boss wanted me in the office every day (well 4 days a week at a push) and I wanted to do 3 at home and 2 in the office. He refused so I handed my notice in. Whereupon he offered me 4 days at home and 1 day in the office! It was too late though, I'd mentally left.

Employers have got to realise that it's the quality of work that matters, not where you do it.

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