They might make me move office...

[clairefromsteps]

I currently work for a large firm that has an office in London and an office out in Essex, and have done for 5 years.

I went on maternity leave 3 years ago, had twins, and when I came back I wanted to cut my hours to two days a week. I couldn't go back to my old job, but was offered a job in a different department. I say 'department' - it was actually just me and one other girl, who worked in the London office, and I was to work as her remote assistant. I accepted this on the basis that I could work 9-5 from the Essex office. I did OK at this job, not sparklingly well, but not badly.

Anyhoo, just over a year ago this other girl left and her workload was transferred over to another section, and I was transferred with it. It was agreed that I could continue working from the Essex office. Anyway, since I've been working on the new section, my performance has gone downhill. I've not been given a warning, or had performance management, but my last appraisal was not great and neither was my interim performance review last month (although there was some improvement).

I've got a feeling they're going to ask me to move to the London office in an effort to improve my performance. I would be unable to do this because of my childcare - my mum looks after the kids while I go to work and while London is commutable from where we live, it would add an extra 3 hours onto my day and my mum can't manage that.

My manager and the HR department are aware of the constraints on my childcare, and they know that I have to work from the Essex office and do 9-5 to fit in with this. Are they allowed to move my job despite knowing this?

Why has your performance gone downhill?

I don't know! I'm not lazy and I'm not stupid and I really try, but I have made some dumb-ass mistakes since I've been on this section. I should have mentioned, my job spec changed a bit when I was transferred and this isn't an area of work that I have any prior experience in. I've been doing the job for a year now and I just don't seem to be able to make any progress with it.

I also don't get on very well with my immediate supervisor - it's a real clash of personalities - I find her incredibly abrasive and I think she thinks I'm a bit wet. I've raised this as an issue with my manager and while she agrees with me she said there's nothing she can do. I think this has something to do with my performance slipping too as I have to really push myself in order to speak to this girl!

On the other hand - maybe motherhood has just turned my brain to mush?

What does your contract say about mobility between offices: does the company reserve the right to require its staff to work at any of its locations?

Clearly things have not been done properly if you haven't had any performance management - do you mean that the company has no procedures to deal with under-performance or that they have procedures but haven't followed them? Did you have any training to support your transfer to a new portfolio?

I think you need to separate out the two issues - the under-performance/lack of training and the location. You're on stronger ground (in my view) arguing for better support and training to help you get on top of the job. The argument that you have to work close to home so that your mum can look after your children may not (I suspect) cut much ice. I do understand that it's nice for your children to be looked after by their granny (and I understand the economics too) but many employers, I imagine, would take the view that it's up to you to find childcare to fit around the job and, if necessary, to change your childcare arrangements to fit.

I'm guessing legally this would come under a change of terms, and they'd need to give you your contractual notice of any change.

Does your contract state a 'base'?

Does your company engage in consultation before making changes ?

They can ask you to move. If its unreasonable to move you which this sounds like it is they will ask you to move or take redundancy payment in line with your contract.

If your performing poorly anyway they may just cut to the chase and offer you a compromise agreement to pay you off.

I work somewhere with three sites. My contract has a clause saying I have to be willing to be moved between sites if the need arose.

Where is your supervisor situated in Essex and your manager in London? Who does what re: appraisals?

Regarding getting up to speed with your job, have you identified any training needs and agreed steps to address them?

Might help if you could travel up to London sometimes if it would help re: training / attending meetings / keeping in the loop, which is usually more difficult if you are working part-time.

I used to have a 90 minute commute each way for a part-time job so know it's not ideal.

From your description I think I work for the same company ...

If so, there has been a lot of relocation recently, to a 190 London office? I know other people with small children who have had no choice but to move, so I think if they are determined to move you then you will have little choice. Could you come up with a positive suggestion that might also help with the performance, e.g working in London one day and Essex the other?

How old are your twins now? If they are nearly three you should qualify for nursery funding soon which would take some of the pressure off your mother.