New manager want me in the office. I wfh-help!

[Stressedgiraffe]

We've changed management structure so my new manager wants me in the office. Ideally once a week but might settle for every month.
I've been there over 2 years. I wfh permanently but my contract says HQ.
I live 5 hours away always have done. They knew where I lived when I started. I go into the office about every 3/4 months for a few days .
Could I push for a change in location in my contract or do you think I'm screwed?

Ask the question over on the Legal Beagles employment forum. FOC legal advise from employment solicitors.

I haven’t read all the posts but I understand WFH is going to be phased out by large corporations. The younger generation coming through the ranks are struggling and need to be shown how to interact and build relationships both internally and externally. Some then sneeze and take a few days off, the fact is they aren’t resilient enough, and need a bit of a kick up the back side…

I don’t think it’ll return to 5 days a week but I think there will be more demands to go in, in person. WFH is a great luxury but many just take it as a given. I don’t get it personally….

YANBU

Contrasting with most people who have absorbed WFH as the norm since COVID but now their employers want them back, you were never an office based employee.

They can't change it now - it's not reasonable.

It sounds like you've been caught in the post COVID net like others gave said. You'd have good grounds but better to go in softly at first - as they can probably shaft you anyway.

YANBU but they might be.

Actually, whilst there is truth in the challenges for younger generations not getting the same experience, wfh has opened up the employment market for many employers. Being able to attract talent from anywhere in the country/world without insisting they relocate has been hugely beneficial for many companies. And for large global companies, having people come in to an office purely so they can sit near other people who happen to live nearby whilst the spending most of the day on calls to the people they actually work with who are based in other parts of the world isn't really greatly beneficial to anyone.
I can see that if your team or the people you mostly work with are based locally then there are benefits, but that just isn't the case for a lot of jobs.

Hate to say this, but could they be trying to put you off? (eg get rid of you) - it is a well-known HR 'method'.

Totally see your point about attracting talent etc. but I’m talking about the rookies who aren’t blowing anyone’s mind but what they do and need guidance and mentoring.

😂😂

Well the ones who still have enough office space and haven’t shut all the ones we actually were contractually obliged to.

It really isn’t that simple.

Rookies aren’t homogenous. Some wfh works for, some it doesn’t.

After today I'm close to handing in my notice. I calmly stated that it was a change contract . She agreed that I was hired remotely but she likes people in the office. She also wants to move me to projects not in my niche expertise ( which I was hired for) I pushed back and she stated she's going to HR. Argh
Maybe being managed out she hates my old manager and has been quite blunt about her feelings for him.
Time to look for a new job I think

Sorry to say, but I feel you've been lucky for two years, if it didn't specify WFH in the contract. More and more companies are returning to at least a hybrid form of work these days... but it's certainly worth a chat with your boss about your situation. I think I would have always thought I was chancing it getting a non WFH position and living five hours away

Sorry to hear that op.

It's worth hearing what HR have to say but even if they resolve it, it's soul destroying working for someone who doesn't value or respect you so I'd focus on finding a new job.

I think exactly that - it’s time to find a new job that works better for you.

There is bizarre assumption amongst the anti-wfh bots that it’s all the fault of the employee, that some empty office is just waiting for them. In my case I was hired for a job in an office 10 miles away that a large corporate took over. They shut it and moved me further away (1 hour), then again 5 years later (post wfh) a further half hour. If they decided I had to be in some far flung office more than I wanted I’d be looking for something else.

OP she can't just change your terms and conditions without HR input so it's a good thing to get them involved.

And in doing so she'll discover she doesn't have much leg to stand on. The contract is one thing, but working practice in this case would override the paperwork. Plus you have written confirmation that remote was agreeable.

So she needs to have a very firm reason for changing changing that.

You should also call out with HR your disabled Dh and requirements to be local to home. This could qualify as reasonable circumstances for a formal flexible working request to alter your contract - which I think could be your next step.

As for projects, well, she can change provided you are generally able for the work and it's not significantly different per project.

Don't resign. You have statutory rights at this stage.

‘Lucky’ erm you do realise companies are finding it hard to recruit right?

@NewYorkie39

''WFH is destroying our economy''

What is your evidence for this?

I think you will find that the Tories and Brexit have destroyed the economy...not flexible working.

I wouldn’t go anywhere for the moment and stick to your guns, don’t make it easy for her to manage it out
You should go to HR aswell and explain your case.
From now on keep a note of all communication.
Even if you do eventually go I would cause a bit of trouble for her first as she is probably making others lives difficult as-well.
You can say to HR that you think she is trying to manage you out so then everything she does from there on could possibly help build a case

Do not let them manage you out. Ensure you have printed any emails or paperwork backing up your remote working agreement and forward any emails to yourself so that you have copies. Speak calmly to HR about the role you were hired for and that it is remote working. If they want to change the terms of the contract/agreement, they need to discuss a severance package with you. I would also consider seeking legal advice, but don’t tell them this, to avoid them reacting badly towards you. Document everything.

Let her go to HR. If it's a bit company, hopefully your HR will be decent and just put her straight!! Sounds like she's one of these people in a new role and throwing her weight around to "prove" she's the boss and she's the "right" person for the job. I would go to HR direct yourself tomorrow to discuss it with them.

@Stressedgiraffe "they knew where you lived" but the reverse is also true! you knew where the business was based so why did you apply for a job if the business was based so far away???

Giraffe has said she applied for a remote position after the company approached her, knowing where she lived. They have provided all equipment for wfh and they pay her expenses if she has to go to the office. They hired her as a remote worker for a niche job.

I knew where they were which was why I stressed remote working during the interview process. I have it in writing it was remote. They headhunted me not the other way round. Its a niche role.

Because if you'll read the thread you'll see that it was advertised as a remote role...

If the post you accepted was a remote one, your contract should have stated mobile or home based.

Expenses can’t be paid for travel to your contractual base location as there are tax implications.

Ask for a change to a home based contract, agreeing to travel to HQ x times per month, which could be expensed.

Best case, explain that that level of commuting is not feasible or reasonable and they may offer redundancy due to being geographically stranded from the location you are expected to be located at.

Then you are in a strong position OP and HR will put your manager straight. They will need to consult with you to change the terms of your role and from what you've described it's actually helpful for you to cover the calls at the top and tail of day etc

I would email HR saying you are concerned at this completely new role she seems to be giving you.
You were hired to work remotely.
You are able to attend meetings remotely at both ends of the working day which would be impossible if commuting.
You have niche skills ,which their company headhunted you for, but which she is moving you from.
You have a disabled husband you need to be around for and a medical condition yourself which means you cannot drive.
She has given no reason other than that she likes people in the office for these changes.