Boss is potentially being unreasonable

[SarahCrowcombe]

AIBU?
So, I left teaching a year ago in search of a role that would give me a better life (teaching was killing me). After doing a bit of supply teaching to tide me over, I found a new job in the charity sector about 6 months ago. I like the job, but don’t love it (it’s fairly dull), but I see it as a foot in the door to other things.
However, I have taken a £15,000 pay cut which has been a huge squeeze, and I perhaps underestimated the financial pressure of that, coupled with the massive rise in living costs. But, we have been making things work so far.

When I took the job, it was a WFH role because they were building a new office. They set me up WFH and it’s been really successful (I’ve now been WFH for 6 months). However, now the office is built and they’ve said I have to move into the office full time because they want a ‘face’ for the team in the office (I assume they’ve chosen me because I’m the newest?). But, the rest of my entire team (and many other teams) are allowed to continue WFH (despite one of them living a 5 min drive from the Charity). To me, that seems a little unreasonable? I live 30 mins away which isn’t huge, but will equate to a further £1,800 pay cut. I don’t understand how we can’t share the load a little? Perhaps each do hybrid with one or 2 days in the office instead if it all landing on me.
It also doesn’t make sense, because the rest of my team will be WFU, so I’d be communicating solely through Teams anyway, so surely it makes no difference as to where I work..?
The problem is that I’m a bit of a pushover, so I imagine that’s another reason? They thought I’d be an easy target. Anyway, I’ve laid my cards on the table and said that I can’t do it and want to compromise, or I will have to leave (and do supply teaching again) with the extra pay cut otherwise, so the ball is in their court.
Am I being unreasonable? TIA

What did your contract say?
Boils down to what you agreed to really. If you signed the contract in the knowledge that once the premises were ready you'd potentially be asked to work there, then unfortunately, there's probably little you can do other than request not to.

"it was a WFH role because they were building a new office"

This seems to infer that once the office was ready, WFH would cease, but depends on the actual wording.

read your contract - what does it state as your place of work?
although even if it states WFH/remotely, there could well be a catch all clause that allows them to make changes if a business need.

Seems a bit unreasonable if they were planning/working on a new building that the issue wasn't discussed at the interview stage.
What is your role within the team that makes it logical to your employer that it should be you?

Thank you for your replies :)
Unfortunately the contract was wishy washy in a way (and mentioned the opportunity for hybrid working as a company perk), but did say that it would be based at the Charity once the office was built. So I did fear that I didn’t have a leg to stand on. It just makes me feel a bit sad that everyone else’s contracts also state the same (office based), but somehow they’re allowed to continue working from home and I’m not? Or I’m not at least allowed to do a hybrid set-up?
Maybe I’ve been a bit spoilt with previous bosses, but I’ve never had an issue with anything before - I’ve always been made to feel valued until now. Anyway, thank you :)

It sounds like you're getting a raw deal here, a 15k paycut and now this?

Check your contract basically, see what it says about hybrid/home working. I think you need to have a meeting with HR and be very factual about this.

I'd go the line of saying that you've worked from home for the past 6 months with no concerns raised about your performance, that you're now being asked to work in the office full time and none of your colleagues are being asked to do this, as a result it's going to cost you x amount extra in fuel and that you feel that you're being singled out and treated different and can they please help you to understand why this is the case.

You can also tell them that you're not refusing to work in the office at all, you are simply asking if it can be on a rota basis so people are treated the same way and fairly and that hybrid working is implemented but that has been refused.

I'd also point out that the company has paid to set you up to work from home and you'd like the official company policy on home working. Consider joining someone like ACAS who can advise you on things like this.

The simple fact here is that you are being treated different which would lead to me ask what your role is and is it different from your colleagues? If it's the same and the contracts are the same then this is grounds for a grievance to be honest with you and it could also be seen as grounds for discrimination.

Was the expectation that you would work in the office once built? Does your contract state the office, home, or hybrid?

The others in the team may have home based in their contract so getting them to change would involve consultation etc.

It doesn't work for you. No need for anyone else to approve. Stick to your guns.

I get the point that the expectation was laid out that office work would be expected in the future - but being the only member of the team it’s going to apply to? Nah, that’s not fair.

what is your role? If you’re the office manager/receptionist then unfortunately it does make sense that you are in the office. At my work the office manager is there every day but everyone else has a hybrid working pattern. If that’s not the case then that doesn’t make sense!

if it doesn’t work for you however then be clear about that and find another role with hybrid or remote working. Doesn’t matter if it’s “unreasonable” - you need to find a job that suits you and pays you enough.

Regardless of contract it seems really unfair not to spread the load to other team members and expect you to do a 5 day week in the office. I don’t think I could stomach that and would be looking for a new job.

Thank you so much for your really lovely and helpful replies :)
I think the main reason I’m upset is the lack of reasoning as to why I should be the only one that goes into the office full time. I am not in a management or receptionist position, and my job is a marketing-type role and solely computer-based/online. My immediate line manager works entirely from home because he lives 2 hours away from the office (which I do understand), so all of the team meetings and communications are always virtual. But there are others in the team who have no ‘reason’ to work from home everyday (apart from the only reason that I’ve managed to tease out of my line manager which is ‘because they want to and don’t like coming in’), and for me to be the only one to take the hit. I just want to share the load a bit more.
I sent a polite email asking to meet and outlining my concerns which I’m now feeling wobbly about - I’m pathetic when it comes to standing up for myself and always hate to make a fuss, but I have to do it!
Thank you so much - it’s really appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I am so sorry I never replied - life got a bit crazy, but I SO much appreciate all your amazing suggestions and advice.

So, I did send an email and met with my boss in the end and I think she was just trying it on really, because she didn't try to fight it at all - she immediately agreed to a hybrid option of 2 office days and 3 wfh days without any negotiation at all.

But, there has been a further development - my Line Manager quit in November, and my boss boss still hasn't replaced him. So, all his work has landed on me and I am currently doing his job on top of mine (despite only being in the role for 7 months when he left - this role is a marketing role and TOTALLY new to me so I have a lot to learn still - I was a teacher for 5 years before that).

Her reasoning for the boss not replacing my Line Manager is that she wants me to gain another 6-12 months experience and then she would give me the line manager job (which I am doing already but not being paid for - slightly ironic!). The Line Manager job is paid very poorly for what it is, so I wouldn't be interested anyway. So.. I have been job hunting, and as of Tuesday this week, I have a new job offer! The new job is a lot more stable, a £5,000 pay rise (more than the Line Manager job), hybrid, and the terms are generally so much better (pension, maternity, annual leave etc). I haven't handed my notice in yet, so I haven't officially accepted because I am waiting on the official offer paperwork. I am desperate to leave and start the new role, but I am dreading handing my notice in - it won't go down well at all, and I am aware that it will very much leave them in the lurch...

But, the summary is that there feels like there is now a bright light at the end of the tunnel!

Thank you so much all :)