Hi all. Posting on AIBU for traffic as time sensitive.
I have verbally accepted a job offer. The policy is 3 days in the office (fine - its central London and my commute is an hour door-to-door from the shire).
They have sent me the employment agreement and not stipulated the 3 days, nor any provision for communicating changes to the policy in advance.
For context:
- I used to work indirectly for this company until three years ago. As a result of Covid & return to work era in offices, they mandated 3 days in the office a couple of months before they sold the subsidiary I worked for. It was deeply unpopular and handled very badly from a comms. perspective.
- I was recommended for the role by a very senior member of their leadership team. I went through several rounds of interviews and my experience is quite niche for the role.
- Since 2020, I have primarily been WFH. Before that, I was full time commuting 5 days a week for nearly 15 years. I do not want to go back to full time commuting and have no issue with 3 days a week. I have no interest in increasing beyond that and want to protect myself from any increase in the next couple of years at least.
So: I have requested a few amendments to the agreement. One is stipulating the 3 days and that any changes will be communicated in advance (I suggested 30 days).
They have replied it is a standard clause they will not edit.
I am deeply uncomfortable signing this agreement. I am also in a position that I can decline to move forward and find a different position, even if it takes a bit longer out of work.
YABU: accept the agreement and take the risk the company will increase office days.
YANBU: try push back, and decline the role if they refuse to add the current mandated 3 days with provisions to communicate any changes in advance.