To think this is incredibly short-sighted and resign?

[Confettishower]

It is in my contract that my work can redeploy me to any office within an hour's distance of my home address based on the need of the business. I have been instructed that I will be moving offices to a location which, according to AA route planner, is 52 minutes from my address. Google maps gives the average travel time between 55 minutes and 1 hr 20 minutes at the times I would be travelling. This would be via car as there is no option for public transport. My current office is 20 minutes away.

I have absolutely no desire to spend up to 2hrs 40 minutes of my day travelling. My manager is going to call me tomorrow to discuss this but I have already decided I won't do it. It will have a detrimental impact on myself and my family and I'm not prepared to do it. Ultimately I am looking at resigning. I feel sad about this. Work have spent a significant amount of time training me and providing professional qualifications and actually I'm really good at my job. Apparently this is the policy and there is no flexibility. It seems utterly ridiculous but apparently if they make an exception for me then that sets precedent. I'll find a new job easily enough but I'm so sad that it's come to this.

YANBU it's their daft loss. We keep hearing it's hard to recruit staff - then they pull stunts like this - no wonder it's hard.

It is, hopefully when you speak to the manager tomorrow he'll agree.

It's not an exception if the average time is over the stipulated travel time. Use this as your argument.

I like your confidence and believe it is a silly decision and you're right to resign if it doesn't suit.

Work to live not live to work and all that.

If they've invested significantly in training you I'd double check your contract about needing to reimburse them if you leave within a set time frame.

Otherwise, I'd start looking for another job before you resign personally.

What is utterly ridiculous’ is taking a job when you fundamentally disagree with the contract and state that you won’t do it.
You knew this was the case, why do the job??

I would argue about the 1hr travel time as it seems that it doesn’t fit that scenario. I would start looking for another job today. Can you afford to quit? If you can just quit and find something more local. Commuting is dead time.

It's not an exception if the average time is over the stipulated travel time. Use this as your argument

This

I hate that argument about setting a precedent.

There's always one! I wonder if posters like this refresh AIBU threads in the hopes of getting in first to be the most tedious bore.

I would argue that it’s not actually within an hour of your home address, unless the AA route planner is written in to your contract.

But, if they dig their heels in then absolutely find somewhere else. Employment is a two way thing - it has to work for the employer and the employer.

What would happen if you couldn't drive? Do they not measure suitable commute distance as door to door by public transport?

Do you have childcare responsibilities op? If so, can you put in an official flexible working request?

You don’t need caring responsibilities to do this - it’s open to everyone.

I wouldn’t make the move OP, and I have a similar contract. I’d just leave as well.

I've come across this with someone I know. The door to door was around 50 minutes but depending on the time of day it could take up to 1.5hrs. The employer said that they base it on the miles/mph not on what issues you have on the way.

Leave. If it doesn't suit your life then move on.

See what they say tomorrow. The fact you're completely serious about resigning gives you more negotiating power.

I've always had in my contract that the job can be moved anywhere in the country. Annoying if they go through with it but standard in my industry.

I have outlined my personal circumstances. One of them is that I need to do the school run which is 10 minutes away from my current office. I use wraparound care as it is and drop off at 8.15 and pick-up at 17 30. The new office doesn't allow me to do this if I travel by car (it's inner city). I can drop the kids at school and then get a train (station next to their school) which would be quicker but very stressful if trains are running late/cancelled etc. It also means in the holidays then I still have a long commute. There is no parking at the new office so I will be financially worse off whatever I decide. They have also said I can work hybrid but I feel that would compromise the standard of my work.

It's so stupid as they are actually crying out for staff - just not in my area. However, their workforce planning doesn't take this into account.

Given your update that there is a faster train, and that you've been offered hybrid, they seem a bit less unreasonable. Still your choice though, none can force you to continue a job you don't like.

Is there a strong business need for you to work at other office?
As others have said, use one hour time definition to contest. It's sad and short sighted that they'll lose you over this.

My partner has had to be recruited by another office due to headcount, although he works with a team in a much closer office. Because if this, he has to tick the box and be there on certain days, even though his team all work in another much nearer office and this other office is a totally different office function. It would set a precedent to let him work all the time at the closer office with his team (and where he was told he'll actually be working at at interview). No firm I've worked for have worried about precedents for over/under paying/promoting! Hopefully they'll be able to accommodate you.

Not agreeing the OP's right or wrong. But they signed up to this term. Theirs to argue that point.

But I do love all the "it's hard to recruit staff" posts. You may be hearing it. It may be true in some areas. But I don't recognise them. Yeah, if you want minimum wage and crappy terms, then there's loads of jobs because the Europeans went home. If you want zero hours care jobs... loads of them.

But I'm just now interviewing a not really great paid job in the public sector, one year, part time, no future employment. 65 applicants were shortlistable. We are interviewing 7 which is double the number we intended to.

I think the whole "it's hard to recruit staff" in many areas of work is mythology. It might make people feel better when they don't get a job. But there's no proof it's true either.

"Unfortunately this move doesn't work for me & my family, especially from a time cost & obviously with the price of petol at the moment.

it's such a pity that you are seeking this move given I love working here and you are happy with my results.

On the basis that it's easier retain staff rather than recruit new staff, are there any other options that can be explored? Would the move work for someone else instead or could you look at a significant salary review to compensate for the time & financial cost. I really would hate to have to consider alternative roles but it's only fair of me to highlight the difficulties I have with the proposed move"

It's worth a shot.

If they’re offering you hybrid could you work from your current office on your ‘wfh’ days and the new office on the other days? I think try and find out their motive for doing this and if it could be a short term arrangement

@IAteAllTheTomatoes has nailed it
Saying you'll have child care issues is not their problem and I'd be unimpressed but they have put it beautifully

Are you a Pqip qualifier??

Is it that obvious 😂

Raise a grievance by listing all the reasons you gave here. If you love the job so much, don’t give up without at least trying to push back.
Good luck!

Do you have a contracted ‘home’ office? I travel around offices but if I go to anywhere other than my contracted home office then I can claim travel expenses like mileage, parking and also travel in work hours.