Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

boss not willing to offer flexible working as agreed

61 replies

lollipoppy36 · 26/11/2018 23:20

I recently joined my current role and before I joined I made it clear that I will need to work from home from time to time.
However, after I have taken a day to work from home due to family emergency issue. I was told off by my manager afterwards, for taking a day to work from home because of family issue!
The company policy and contract clearly stated that it is allowed under such circumstances, actually my manager's manager was the one who wasn't happy.

I can still try to push to take days to work from home, but then management would not be happy with me. What should I do?

The other teams in our company do not have this problem at all, I think it is just a team leader preference thing and it is not possible for me to move team within my company short term.

Should I start looking for a new job externally after new years?

OP posts:

POPholditdown · 27/11/2018 14:36

I don’t get why posters are questioning the WFH aspect, when it is covered in the work policy and discussed and agreed before she even started?

Why should OP take annual leave because I or others have to, when she can work from home?

VanGoghsDog · 27/11/2018 15:25

@Cherries101

I didn't ay she 'had to', I was answering where she said she didn't know what else she could do - those are the other things she could do, whatever everyone else does.

But, no, if she has an agreement, she doesn't have to.

I suspect this is a misunderstanding in communications.

Grace212 · 27/11/2018 16:17

OP I had this - an official HR policy which allowed this and a Chief Executive who hated it.

I just let him whine. I wouldn't worry about this any more unless they say anything. in which case, point them to HR handbook.

daisychain01 · 27/11/2018 16:20

OP if you received specific clearance from your line manager to wfh, on that particular day to address the security matter of your door, and the matter has now received the negative attention of his boss, it seems to be a cultural thing, as the company isn't fully on board the wfh culture.

If senior management are resistant to ad-hoc wfh requests to address employees' domestics/emergencies where they need to be present during the working day to let tradespeople into their property, you'll have an ongoing struggle to change their attitude.

They may feel it sets a precedent they don't feel is right for their business. Bums on seats is frustrating in 21st century but you may be better off with an employer that is geared up for 'remoting'.

HauntedPencil · 27/11/2018 18:11

If they agreed to WFH then they should abide by it.

SOME People tend to assume you aren't doing much when WFH as the chunteters on this thread evidence. A lot of people are far more productive at home.

swingofthings · 27/11/2018 18:44

before I joined I made it clear that I will need to work from home from time to time
Why? Surely not because you expect regular door problems? Also strange choice of word referring to a door needing work as a family issue.

I expe t the big boss doesn't believe you and think you are looking after you child(ren) occasionally. I would be suspicious myself of anyone saying before taking up a job that they WILL NEED to work from home time to time.

Pumkinsoup · 27/11/2018 19:02

Swing, I would really like to understand.

If 1) the work from home was agreed prior to employment, and
2) there is a policy to this effect, and
3) assuming there is no evidence of performance problem / lack of work completed because OP worked flexibly, basically as long as necessary, but with breaks,
what is the benefit of creating resentment, hardship for the employee and resulting low morale, what is the advantage of imposing Dikensian work relations for the employer?

HauntedPencil · 27/11/2018 19:06

Well they didn't need to offer her the job did they?

It's not a particularly outlandish request it's something that suits a lot of people.

HauntedPencil · 27/11/2018 19:11

Honestly just because some of you would have to take leave if dosent mean we all have to.

Original poster

lollipoppy36 · 27/11/2018 19:18

I think I will stop explaining to people who kept on questioning why some people i.e me would need to work from home. It is in my contract and for if you have worked in an office environment with hot desking policy, you will understand how normal it is to request work from home.
Some posters reply surely demonstrate what's going on in my senior management's head.

OP posts:

Grace212 · 27/11/2018 19:22

OP totally get it

no way would I work for a company who didn't allow homeworking - originally I'd have said "occasional" but in my last two jobs I bluntly said I wanted at least one day a week to save on commuting and help keep my sanity!

PatchworkElmer · 27/11/2018 19:25

Did you ask, or just not turn up at work? I wfh a lot, but my boss always knows where I am, and I clear my weekly schedule with her in advance. Any sudden alterations, I call her to let her know.

titchy · 27/11/2018 19:32

I'd email your manager, ccing senior manager, something like 'Following my working from home on x date, I understand this has been some negative reaction to this. Please can you clarify the position as my contract clearly states that wfh is available to staff as needed, and I was surprised at the response to this. I am very much enjoying my role, and am keen to develop my career at Bloggs ltd, but if occasional home working is discouraged I will need to reconsider in the light of this.'

daisychain01 · 27/11/2018 21:10

That comes across as a veiled threat titchy the bit about having to "reconsider". Reconsider what? The OPs employment? They could take her up on it and she's painted herself into a corner.

Also it comes across as quite confrontational to question the misgivings of the Senior Manager which would brand her as a trouble maker about wfh which is clearly a real sticking point.

Employees have a legal right to request flexible working. Now could be the time to formalise the request as a 1 day a week wfh. If they decline then they have to state why. This will evidence their mindset as to how much of a sticking point wfh is.

I wouldn't get shirty about "Frontdoor-gate" that's done and dusted.

titchy · 27/11/2018 21:38

If they decline then they have to state why.

She doesn't need to formally request it - it's in her contract.

Maybe omit the bit about reconsidering, but always good to have 'clarity in writing.

starzig · 27/11/2018 21:48

Did you tell you boss you had someone coming round to fix a door or did you tell him you had a family issue. If the latter he could have had the same impression as most people that it would be something that stops you doing your work effectively.

daisychain01 · 27/11/2018 21:50

It would be interesting to know what the OPs contract and the company policy states. I expect company policy will be based on employment rights to work flexibly and the contract may refer to the OPs specified need.

The fly in the ointment is that, if pushed, the business may decide to withdraw their original agreement citing a change in trading circumstances that necessitates employees being in the office.

Only the OP knows if it's a showstopper.

HauntedPencil · 27/11/2018 22:10

OP I think the best thing to do is call ACAS they provide really good free advice.

Pumkinsoup · 27/11/2018 22:23

Given what OP stated about hot desking, I wonder indeed what is behind management's position...
Is there really no way to tease it out and discuss productively somehow. Without 'war' and confrontation. Does it have to descend into threats and changing jobs?

Could any HR / employer people discuss this?
I honestly would like to understand what are chances of getting flexible working arrangements without getting constructive dismissal.

Polkapjs · 27/11/2018 22:43

We have mixed reaction to WFH in my place. A lot think it’s a skive but I do loads as I’m not disturbed/ don’t have to listen to office politics or watch the office eaters out of the corner of my eye by the chocolates/ doughnuts or listen to the moaning. I rarely do it but would love to do more

swingofthings · 28/11/2018 07:28

'Working from home' can mean very different things for employees and employers. I can work from home too and is part of the flexible working policy, but it doesn't mean I can do so whenever I want, without asking my boss before and getting her agreement, and certainly is not acceptable if I do so because I have caring responsibilities on this day.

I do see colleagues who have taken it to the extreme and use working from home on school inset days, when nursery is closed or childminder is on holiday because they rather do that then take a day off. This is especially since sickness levels are monitored.

We don't know what prompted the big boss to say no, maybe because OP has taken too much liberty of working from home regularly, or not asking her boss, or been told that OP looks after her children or mum during that time, or has evidence that little work was done on these days.

Or maybe it's a misunderstanding and OP just needs to clarify what has been agreed in writing and why this is now being revoked.

Alfie190 · 28/11/2018 08:24

I find it very difficult to believe that any contract of work policy enables somebody to work at hom whenever they like and without prior arrangement.

Also I don't get the "I made it very clear I would need to work at home". Nobody'I interview is ever going to "make something very clear" to me at interview! They wouldn't be getting the job if they tried. What might happen is a discussion and a mutual agreement of working arrangements.

Also curious as to how new you are to the role, because if it is very recent, I would be concerned by your attitude.

Alfie190 · 28/11/2018 08:24

*contract or work policy

Pumkinsoup · 28/11/2018 12:22

Nobody'I interview is ever going to "make something very clear" to me at interview!They wouldn't be getting the job if they tried.

Isn't that a self defeating stance? It is refusing by the back door even to discuss flexibility.

Isn't it why people have to pretend to be ill and use other tactics - because their no way to discuss it openly and constructively without getting into constructive dismissal dynamics.

The need to get away from hot desking and to prepare that report or presentation at home where one can focus is not going away, the inset days and emergencies are not going away either. It is absurd to take a day off to open the door to workmen to make repairs, which would take 5 min. The point of flexibility is that the same amount of work can be done in a different way - in a different location and over longer time with breaks. What is wrong with that?

Alfie190 · 28/11/2018 12:29

Isn't that a self defeating stance? It is refusing by the back door even to discuss flexibility.

Did you read the next sentence? The bit about a discussion and reaching a mutual agreement.

My objection is to a candidate thinking they can "make something very clear" to me about their working arrangements during their interview.

And for the record, I am a senior manager (or I was before I decided to study FT this year) and I have had plenty of members of staff that work at home over the years and I have NEVER declined a request or made it difficult.

So hope that clears it up for you.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread