WFH request denied, but allowed for a new start

[HarryPottersMuse]

Longtime lurker, but not a poster. Just wondering AIBU before I make a final decision whether to approach or not.

I am a hybrid worker, did 3 days pw initiallly (2 in office, one at home). I increased to 4 days and now do 3 in office, still 1 at home. I had asked before increasing if I could do 2+2 instead or even full time wfh (my preference), was told ‘no’ as wfh percentage is at capacity. Fair enough.

Here is my AIBU, a colleague who previously left has since come back - and is allowed to wfh full time? Should I not have been given first opportunity having previously asked to do so before she came back? Do I have to leave and get rehired to get same benefit?? We do the exact same job, exact same nbr of days.

Would I be wrong to raise this with the Manager who told me they were “at capacity” for home workers just weeks ago? Do I have any rights over a new start, or am I wasting my time.

I don’t want to leave, but find myself looking for other jobs that offer remote working as I’m not happy.

YABU - you have no special right over somebody essentially new

YANBU - this is most unprofessional and you deserve an explanation

WTF! Why do they treat people like this and thing they can get away with it?

i would submit formal request as was suggested above

massive put off

handle it factually and with no emotions
good luck x

You could ask again but I wouldn't bring up other colleague. It could be a reasonable adjustment.

Following with interest - new hires in my place seem to be getting flexible working included, which includes WFH.

I'm on an older contract, so expected in the office unless in certain circumstances. We were told at a team meeting the culture was to be in the office.

Some of the ones at home are spending a large proportion of the time there

I presume there's nothing I can do - it feels the new contracts are more attractive

I like the company so don't really want to leave, but would like more chance to WFH (where I'm probably more productive as no distractions!)

I’d put in a formal request. It seems very odd that you’re the only one spending significant time in the office. Be prepared to leave if your request is declined.

I was the only one full time wfh in my old team. I am disabled and it was a reasonable adjustment and frankly nobody's business

Standard practice to favour new workers over old . My company has just today had a "benefits review". Its going to cost me money as they are removing benefits from long serving employees in order to give them to new hires. Absolute shower of bastards and treating us like fucking idiots and hoping we won't notice our benefits have been drastically reduced.

How did they break this news? Are resignations likely do you think?

I am struggling to see how everyone else is wfh and you’re expected to be the only representative in the office. It’s illegal to treat you differently unless there are specific reasons. Definitely put in a formal request.

Perhaps the new person has legitimate reasons maybe? Mental health, transport issues, physical health condition/illness, wrap around childcare issues etc

Are you effective when you wfh? I suspect not and perhaps that's why it's been denied?

This. OP, you don't know why your colleague has had WFH approved, and it could be for personal medical reasons that aren't appropriate to discuss with you.

Separately, if WFH is important to you, there's no harm in exploring your options with other employers.

I would join a union immediately and get the union to help you liaise/negotiate a wfh adjustment especially considering you are the only individual going in as it constitutes an unfair and hostile work environment. I would also get any dr's notes etc. as evidence for reasoning of working from home as your employer has to make reasonable and equal adjustments.

I wondered this.

OP, your colleague might have occupational health needs which need reasonable adjustments including working from home. You don’t know the detail of their specific circumstances. What you can do is reflect on why you’re being asked to go into the office more than anyone else and consider if there are reasons behind this related to your fulfilment of the job role. You say full time wfh is your preference - why is that? In my experience the individuals who want to wfh the whole time are the ones who are less productive overall and need time in the office to counteract that.

It absolutely is your business!

It's NOT your business to know WHY, but that's why they can just say "new person requested accommodations". But yes, absolutely ask again.

This idea that every person just looks after their own contract is just what companies want. It's the same as saying your mustn't discuss salaries..

If you have similar obligations (eg neither of you absolutely have to be in the office 3 days a week), and you have to leave to get similar arrangements, then tell them you want your request reconsidered.

Oh, and that's yet another reason to belong to a union.

Don't hand your notice in and then try to negotiate WFH. That's too risky if they decide not to ask you to stay.

Why don't you simply tell them that you may start looking for another job where you can WFH.

It might well be a reasonable adjustment for a disability.

In your position I would rebroach it buy focus on the benefits to you and the company of working from home rather than moaning that it's not fair.

I feel you because in my old job I was denied WFH despite my role being independent from everyone else and completely doable from home. I think my manager just liked showing her authority over me.
Anyway, I’m now in a different job that is fully remote and was advertised as such and I’m much much happier.
If you want full WFH I would look for a new job tbh.

I am not the only one working in the office in the wider team, however, we are assigned to different teams working on a particular project together, and in the group I am assigned to, it is just me who is hybrid, the rest wfh full time.

Other project teams do hybrid where they are in 3 days and work 2 days at home.

Regarding my productivity etc, there is absolutely zero issue with mine vs anyone else. If anything, I do more as I’m not afraid to take on new challenges and actually ask for extra to do if it’s quiet (not often, but on occasion). We have recently launched a new system that everyone uses and, though not officially a trainer, I am perhaps more proficient on it than others (because I’ve made the effort to self-teach beyond the training given). My fear is this is actually preventing my wfh request rather than helping it!

Thank you again to all, I think the general feedback is to take up with HR, or look for something else.

@HarryPottersMuse Submit it as a formal request and wait to hear back from that. A chat with your manager over email is one thing, a formal request is another. Do that and then see what happens.

Re the new hire, you have no idea what their circumstances are, my sister is allowed a hybrid working pattern whereas others are not, but if you knew how ill she was and that everything had to go through occupational health to get her the hybrid system you wouldn't want her medical condition. She does alternate days as she cannot physically do 2 days in the office with the commute, the parking and the distance from her desk to a toilet.

Official request your WFH day.

You seem to be ignoring everyone telling you to submit a formal request. That should be the first step, if they formally decline (giving you reasons) then you can consider whether you want to stay. You don't know your colleagues circusmtances or why their request was approved.

Health is a reason, but transport and childcare aren’t - it’s the employee’s job to get there, and if they choose to procreate or live in a certain location it’s not down to the employer to accommodate this putting others at a disadvantage (yes, I have kids)

Apologies, I was not consciously ignoring this advice. I thought the email/chats we’ve had would confirm my preference, but I hear you. I will do this and go from there.

I feel that before you join a new job you have all the power, so to speak. You can say what would make you consider the job, what they need to offer you for you to take up the job. The new colleague can say they would join only if fullywfh etc.

Then once you’re in the role, roles reverse and the employer have the power! Unless you leave.

I’d suggest look for other fully wfh jobs if that’s what you’d prefer

There maybe a difference that the OP isn’t aware of.