AIBU to continuously request hybrid working and think management are being unfair

[HelloWorld2577]

I work for a relatively small company. We have three offices over the country and yet only one of our offices works on a hybrid basis - I think this is unfair.

Just to clarify my role is admin. My role can be done the same from home as in the office and all offices have the same structure, we are all exactly the same just in different locations.

All staff at one of our offices work hybrid (60 home 40 office) - capacity of the office is not an issue, their office is actually larger than ours with less staff. Their manager simply said they work better when at home with less distractions (as we would too as it can get very loud).

However in the office I work in, and the other office we have, all admin must work in office 100% but ALL other staff including managers can work from home whenever they please and even have set days to be at home etc.

I personally feel the company are treating employees unfairly, but I don't think theres anything whatsoever that can stop them doing this - unless there is?!? All employees should be treated the same IMHO but they are not.

Every single time I bring it up they make ridiculous excuses. I've asked to WFH before when childcares been a problem (over half terms etc) and they've said 'no as you will be caring for your child'. I can slightly understand that. But when I have questioned the fact the other office WFH and we cannot they have said we need more staff before we can WFH ... makes no sense? They've said some newer team members would need training to WFH, but yet we have no manager in office as they WFH, so they don't get anymore support being in office they'd still have to call the manager.

Anyone know where I stand with this? Do I keep requesting it for our team or just leave it as theres nothing I can do? Surely employers should have to treat all employees the same?

I've asked to WFH before when childcares been a problem (over half terms etc) and they've said 'no as you will be caring for your child'. I can slightly understand that.

Only slightly?

Lol.

Oh come on. This isn’t what discrimination acts are for.
You said it yourself ‘IF’ they are all women. It would be entirely a coincidence in this instance and not bloody discrimination.

I think that poster has misunderstood anyway. It isn’t all admin staff - it’s all of one office out of 3 offices. Presumably all 3 offices have a mixture of roles in them.

Look for another job. The working from home hub on FB is really good.

Sorry I think YABU. No one I know who WFH does so routinely with kids there under about 12. It’s simply impossible and bad practice. Very occasionally people might have an afternoon with some childcare if the child is unexpectedly ill, but absolutely not on a regular basis. Plus my own experience of those very occasional times when I have had to work with a child at home is that I’ve got nothing done and it’s been extremely stressful for everyone. Likely your company has realised this isn’t workable and those that are doing it at the moment may have a pre-existing agreement which the company is trying to phase out.

I think if you have childcare and you can point to people in similar roles to you who are working successfully from home you might have a much better case.

You need to make a formal flexible working request (in writing). They can just for you off if you are not applying formally. See .gov website for a template. I would say job can be worked from home as others in the company are doing so.

There is allowed to be disparity between offices in different parts of the countries especially if one area has recruitment and retention issues.

Submit a formal request as suggested previously and they will state their reasons in writing. If you then belive you have an issue you will be able to challenge it.

But at the moment an it's not fair whine won't get you anywhere. Do the request formally and by the book