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?

Given that they had to headhunt OP in the first place, your ping is quite the gamble. It's a niche role.

Also, why on earth would you say you think it's possible to get carers? You don't know where OP lives so you can't have the foggiest about the situation locally.

If you pay you can get someone. She now thinks she doesn’t need carers but many people pay fees for children so they can work. It’s fairly normal if you care for someone. Anyway, the op is negotiating and that’s good. Don’t assume there’s only one person who can do a job. That might not be true if the conditions are good. Egg for 4 days a week would be attractive.

You really can't tell anyone else to make assumptions after the series of them you've just pulled out of nowhere.

Whatever your beliefs, you have no idea whether care is likely to be available in the locality, but one of the few things we do know here is that OP does a niche role and that the company felt they had to come to her.

But @TizerorFizz why should the OP bother with all this when she can either argue her case and continue being at home OR get a new job thats working from home!!
There are heaps of jobs out there and loads are remote and sounds like the OP is pretty skilled if she was headhunted so shouldn't have an issue finding something else!!

People don't need to just accept things / do what they are told by their manager

@Fupoffyagrasshole She can negotiate and do the job. She said that’s what she’s going to do. So presumably everything else is ok. She might prefer what she knows. However my comments weee based on her wanting to stay. At the moment. Of course anyone can leave but it’s not true to say wfh is now the norm. It’s not for many businesses. There’s a big loss to companies who need brainstorming, mentoring, training and other collaborative working such as detailed checking of work. It is difficult away from the office full time.

Update- spoke to my manager today and have agreed to go up for a few days next month. She apparently has been told by hr to pay my expenses so thats good.Hopefully that'll put me in her good graces for a couple of months.
I do like going into the office it always feels like a little holiday, no cleaning or cooking or looking after anyone

but I also updated my cv and have applied for a couple of jobs.

You should find a new job, it sounds a lot like the old guard are going out and the new guard want things their way - which normally means bringing their own people in and finding excuses for making life difficult for existing employees if they don't want them there for whatever reason. Or at the very least boundary testing people.
Generally speaking this may go away for a while, but it'll never go away completely and you'll be better off just moving. It'll come back eventually and it sounds like a manage out situation. HR are there to protect the company and they will do exactly that - they'll oblige by the legal requirements enough for you to have no ability to go to a tribunal... but they won't protect you.

Good luck in your new job search OP.

That sounds like a step in the right direction OP. And burnishing your CV to move on sounds like the best thing for you. In your new job do, please, ensure that your permanent WFH status is in writing in your contract and unequivocal with no room for "misunderstandings" from the new company's viewpoint. Good luck with your job search. 🌹

@Stressedgiraffe how did all this pan out in the end?

I got a new job and have been there since may. I love my job even though there is more travel.

I feel very very differently to most on these thread, those that casually say : Once a month is a very reasonable request when your contract stated you should be in the office. I disagree.

With hindsight I bed you wish you'd asked to have WFH put in your contract at interview, rather than HQ. "Your normal place of work ..."

Implied terms. If you've already been actually doing something eg working from a particular place for x years, it changes expectations, it's a given? Even if you don't have a legal standing, eg a contract as evidence.

Oh sorry. Didn't see latest update. Pleased.

Thanks for the update, that's good news