Hybrid Working Policy help needed

[jamcorrosion]

Hi - my job has a policy as above, states to be in the office for 3 days a week, with an option to submit a form for unforeseen circumstances. The policy states that the focus is on days not hours spent in the office per day but the expectation is that majority of the day is spent in office when there. There’s no definition of ‘majority’ so I’ve assumed it means more than 50%. This policy has been in place a year. Recently received an email from a senior member of staff to the whole team stating that when in the office we are expected to be there for a full day.

Since this policy was introduced - I arranged my childcare around it. My son is in nursery 7.30-5.30 daily (I’m a single parent) I chose these hours so I could get to the office early. Usually around 8.15/30, I stay until lunchtime which is four hours and then head home. I do this as I thought it was better to travel home on my unpaid hour than later in the afternoon on works time.

Since receiving the email I have reached out and explained my usual routine and asked for clarification if this is no longer ok. I have been told it is no longer ok and I cannot leave at lunchtime consistently only occasionally for appointments etc. Apparently this was clarified with HR before I was given a response. Where do I stand here as the policy doesn’t state full days? I have offered to stay till later in the afternoon and explained why I chose lunchtime. Also explained that I can’t stay till later than 4pm really due to traffic and nursery pick up.

I’m just not sure where I stand or how to handle? As the policy is not specific at all. Can the goalposts be changed like this?

IABU - Suck it up
IANBU - This isnt ok to just change it

I know haha - solution was found ages ago. It’s the ones who love to tell me how I’m lazy and insinuate I only work when im at the office and just chill the rest of the time 😂 think id already be out of a job if that was the case

Keep listening to @Strawberryfruitcornerposts and ignore the people who can’t read! And if your base is EP, then let me know, as I’d love to meet up with you for a coffee when I’m next there

Thankyou!! Ah it’s not I’m Manchester but been to EP and I swear it’s a maze I just couldn’t get comfy with the layout 😂 spent about a year travelling to London and back each week for a few days as that’s where client was based so spent plenty time in EP and ML - which I was very surprised at how old fashioned it looked! Although the location is lovely!!

Can we all bear in mind please that WFH was very rare before Covid. Then, the expectation was 5 days a week in the office and we all got on with it. What they meant by days not hours is that they are not specifying an exact number of hours to be there but whatever your contracted hours are in a day, you need to be there for the entire time. Does 8.30-4 cover your full hours? If not, you’ll need to try and request flexibility to leave 30 mins early and make up extra time on WFH days.

Otherwise I’m afraid you’ll have to arrange a babysitter to collect him until you can find a job closer to home that allows you to work a full day and meet nursery hours. Or find a nursery that finishes at 6 or a childminder

Ah I did wonder if you worked at the orange shape. You're obviously not lazy if you're working there and well regarded. I usually only encounter people who are or were miserable there so I'm glad you're having a happier experience.

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