Hybrid work changing

[Abby23]

The US multinational I work for has mandated all UK employees back to the office for at least 4 days a week. It was 3 days before. I’m gutted. I took this job 3 years ago having moved from my previous role that was 2 days hybrid. I’d been there for over 10 years.

My commute is 2 hours into Canary Wharf (ie 4 hours round trip minimum). The cost is another matter but that’s ok. I’m a single parent with a young teenager I have to leave at home at 6am when I leave for work, I’m not back till at least 7 pm. She makes her way to/from school but I feel so guilty. I get home and I’m exhausted. BTW, my teenager is going through an AdHd/autism assessment and does not particularly like school. Her behaviour can best be described as challenging.

Has anyone had to deal with this transition?. If so, did you embrace it?. I have asked my boss if I can apply for an exemption so I continue doing 3 days in the office due to my commute plus family commitments. Still awaiting a response,

I don’t want to sound precious because most people did 5 days in the office before Covid. But, I do feel so deflated and stressed about it as I really love my job. Unfortunately, I’m seriously thinking of looking elsewhere.

I do wonder if some companies do this to reduce staff numbers. We have just concluded a huge restructure..

would be grateful to hear people’ s comments.

thank you

Look elsewhere would you be my advice, before anyone else does.

Similar happened to me and it took me less than a month to find a new, fully remote job. I recommend it.

You can make a flexible working request.

If rejected I would be looking to move.

I recently found a new role and turned down interviews for anything where they say hybrid but mean a Friday afternoon at home or similar nonsense. 🙄

I had a similar situation a few years ago. I left a fully remote role for a better paid one that was two days a week in the office. I had a similar commute to you but for two days, I thought it was worth it for the extra money. I'd be there just a few months when they upped the nunber of days. My quality of life tanked pretty quickly and the extra pay got wiped out by the additional commuting costs.

I started looking for a new role soon after that and left the exhausting commute behind. I'd advise you to do the same. It will be worth it even if you have to take a slight pay cut, to get that time and energy back.