Work announced a move from 2 days to 4 days

[Everanewbie]

Hi all. I'm looking for some suggestions of what avenues I might have.

I started a job just over a year ago. It is company that I worked for some time ago, but had to leave due to personal circumstances, which was with regret. I was thrilled to be offered the job. I applied and received the offer where I was told at both I was obligated to be in the office twice a week.

I left a job that was entirely remote (well, with the exception of trips in to London maybe once a month) to take up this role, accepting two days in person because I was excited by the role. Pay incidentally, is much the same, above the average, but only HRT if a decent bonus is paid. I now pay to park in a city centre twice a week and drive maybe 10 miles or so to get there.

I have child that is full time in nursery and my husband works long days. He is the main breadwinner in a job that is very well paid, think 6 figures, but only just. This means that I do the majority of nursery drop offs and pickups, however, he helps where his hours allow. We also have a dog. He is great at home on his own, but I only resort to that one day a week as a try to work my other day when my husband is off or on a shorter day.

So now, out of the blue, my firm have announced they expect people in the office 4 days per week. This will not work for me. Days will be too long, I'll be £60pw on parking, plus I will need to employ a dog walker 4 days a week. The salary no longer looks decent when you consider this.

I've heard about flexible working requests, and heard that these are considered on a case-by-case basis, but does any HR-y posters have any thoughts on the merits?

Would you be weighing up other options? Speaking to my manager, or holding my cards close to my chest?

I really don't want to leave this job, but I don't have the energy to be a mum and husband to do this, and the salary will no longer be competitive.

Haven’t read through but I am totally pissed off with employers that do this.

People set their lives up around work, that is nothing new, and changing the goal posts has implications on the employee AND their family in my experience.

Total lack of respect, and most definitely not a way to increase productivity or engagement. Fools.

Op. Is this a stealth cull? Do you think they want to piss people off and have people resign rather than sacking a chunk of the workforce?

Companies are very sneaky as they don’t write the hybrid bit in the contract which means they can change it whenever they like!

I think employees need to vote with their feet and you should find alternative employment that works for you if you can.

I would suggest a flexible working request. Set out clearly that you accepted the job on the basis of the offer, which was clearly defined in terms of home/ office working. Then set out the reasons why your role can continue to be done on the current hybrid pattern and why having you in the office will have no impact on the team. Offer a compromise 5 days from the officer every fortnight.

I did in an earlier post. Poor annual results led to a drive on culture. Collaboration. Don’t want to be too outing but my reasonably boutique firm was bought out by a large multinational who have imposed this, rather than my small office team.

@Everanewbie OP, I think it's worth checking something before making a flexible working request (that the business could reasonably refuse based on business need).
Whilst an employment contract can vary the terms outlined in a previous offer letter, this can only be done if both the employer and employee agree to the changes or if the contract contains a variation clause, which allows your employer to unilaterally make certain changes. Does your contract contain a variation clause, OP? (It's usually very obvious as it's generally sub-titled something like "Variations"). If it doesn't, you could argue that your employer doesn't have the right to unilaterally change your working location/pattern as laid out in your offer letter.

They moved the goalposts. That’s indisputable. Can you go back to your old role? You say it’s the same salary, so aren’t you better off as it’s 100% remote so no commuting costs?

Do you work 4 or 5 days a week? From a legal/HR perspective is WFH considered a flexible working request? I thought it was just PT working or reduced days etc.

I agree with PP.s it depends what's in your contract.

Also agree it's a sign of the times. So many people got used to WFH, cheaper childcare/dogcare/commuting etc. (that's not a criticism btw) It was fine with covid and after but now many workplaces see that productivity and career progression is better with people in the office.

There's also no denying that many people really do take the piss WFH. Companies shouldn't have to put up with it.

As you say, it maybe a case of voting with your feet. I suppose all you can do is weigh up what matter most to you. Of course, try all you can to continue or even at a push 3 days but then if they don't agree see what other options you have.

You can ask for flexible working, but when your DH is earning over 100k arguing about 2 days extra parking and a dog walker won’t look good

The husbands salary is nothing to do with the OP’s employer.

I don't blame you OP for being annoyed and frustrated at this decision. You weren't unreasonable to take the email and other communications stating it was a hybrid role, and the arrangements therein, as the basis for your working conditions.

However, contractually, as you state The actual contract has the office down as the normal place of work they have covered themselves.

I do think having a straightforward, non-game playing conversation with the decision-maker in this case is the way to go. I'd be honest - no need for explicit mention of dogs and such like, but I think it's fine to say that you based your decision to take the role on its compatibility in terms of working conditions with your family / home commitments, and is there any flexibility around the 4 day onsite option?

Perhaps in discussions there is a middle ground available that will work for everyone - if not, I do think the option will be to look for another role and to be very clear from a contract position that WFH arrangements are explicitly laid out and clear.

Completely agree with this.

unless I misunderstood your OP II thought you said you were a higher rate taxpayer if you got a bonus. £11 for parking and £15 for a dog walker isn't really much :) Hell of a lot cheaper than childcare

Have a look how it actually pans our. We have officially 4 days in the office, but nobody does that. Some people do 3, most 2. As long as there are no complaints, nobody cares.

I would apply for an adjustment. If it isn't granted, I would look for alternative employment.

My company includes hybrid working as a core benefit. I can see this being eroded to being nearly full time in the office. I think a lot of large companies are reverting to office working under the guise of collaboration.

I have been self employed and have WFH for more than 20 years. My experience is that people are much more productive WFH.

There is a drive for people to come into the office. There isn't enough desk space for everyone. I hot desk by random people. It's a waste of time and money. Staff engagement is going to be negatively impacted.

I really feel your pain and this kind of thing is so frustrating, and I believe completely unnecessary! I don’t think anyone should be forced to be in the office for any more time than they need to be.

I have to be in the office judg two days a week but since my railcard ended my train fares have become so expensive (£35 one way!) and I also have a 2 hour commute door to door. I’ve just found out that I’m pregnant so I will definitely be requesting something more flexible once I return from Mat leave to either one day only or remote, and if they can’t accommodate I will need to look for a remote or more local. I wouldn’t jump to looking for a new job until you have spoken to them about this, but maybe make it clear that you may need to if they aren’t able to accommodate slightly.

I really think it’s so unfair how people (and especially women who have children) are expected to juggle 9-5 in an office everyday with the costs of childcare, drop offs pick ups as well as everything else! I hope the conversation goes well x

I think you would have had more sympathy if you posted without all the background. It's no one's business what your childcare or dog care arrangements are. Your family is not more or less deserving of understanding than mine or someone else's.

The facts are:

• you agreed to the job based on you being in the office 2 days a week
• they are changing the goal posts by asking you to come in 4 days

You could try and make a request to stay the same arrangement but be prepared for them to say no.

It's up to you what you do next.

You might have to stick it out for now, but vote with your feet and look for something else.

If everyone now has to go in 4 days a week, ill bet there are a few who are looking to jump ship.

I would write an email to your manager, and let them know that when you took on the role it was advertised as 2 days per week and therefore you accepted the package on this basis. (If you are happy to go in more) I’d say that you are happy to commute to the office for the additional days, however you need to consider the extra expenses such as parking, petrol and childcare. With that in mind you are kindly requesting their consideration for a pay increase of (insert what you think you need). In the meantime, you kindly request you continue with your existing arrangement of x2 days per week whilst this is considered.

Personally, I’d go for more money first, and then if they say no I’d go for the flex working request.

And I’m sure that people will say you won’t get it, and maybe you won’t, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

OP if you accepted a post on the basis of 2 office days, then worked according to that schedule it is now implied into your contract of employment. It doesn’t need to be written in, your employer has accepted this pattern by virtue of allowing you to do it for a period of time. Seek legal advice. You don’t need a flexible working request, you have a contract in place that is 2 office days.

You can submit a flexible request but don't assume that means it's granted. If the place of work is listed as the office on your contract that was on you to question before you gave up your other job. I think if the employer listed it there was always possibility of an increased days in office

I get cross about this.

We need to collectively all start insisting on hybrid working being included in contracts, otherwise people are tricked into leaving contractually remote jobs only to be told a few months later we're expected in four or 5 days.

Its not reasonable.

I really think it’s so unfair how people (and especially women who have children) are expected to juggle 9-5 in an office everyday with the costs of childcare, drop offs pick ups as well as everything else!

I think you mean parents who have children. My husband has to pay as much for childcare as me and juggles drop offs and pick ups around office hours.

Here are some thoughts: it’s a long shot but potentially discriminatory if people affected are largely women. Since women traditionally carry child caring burden, move to 4 days a week could potentially affect mainly women who benefit from hybrid working. The effect eould be forced to quit. If there are other mothers impacted, suggest banding together and writing a letter to HR citing potential sex discrimination. Might be a long shot, but might buy you time to look for a new job or they may be more willing to negotiate- perhaps offer 3 days every 2 weeks for example.

Out of curiousity, can you explain what it is in law that makes your "right" to request flexible working any more of a "right" than your "right" to demand a company supplied Emotional Support Horse to accompany you in the office?

I can understand why this is annoying for you since you left a previous job on the understanding of a particular working arrangement. In your circumstances I would ask for the changes to be phased in over a longer period, e.g. stepping up to 3 days after a few months then 4 after another 3-6 months, rather than straight to 4 immediately.

Then use that time to either put different home arrangements in place yourselves to make more office time work, or look for a new role somewhere else.