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Original poster

Don't want to move to city centre

21 replies

theexceliconisgreen · 10/12/2023 17:06

Office is currently located in a town close to home with a staff car park. Work have now announced we are going to be moved to a new office in a big city centre and will mean the need to travel by public transport. So annoyed now instead of a short commute by car I will be 1.5hrs+ via bus and train, not to mention the additional cost.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any advice? Would I be entitled to compensation for additional costs?

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 10/12/2023 17:08

When employers make "big" moves like this, they usually offer voluntary redundancy or early retirement to those who can't commute. Some will offer a temporary "relocation package" which may be funding some of your moving costs or transport costs for a specified period of time to help the transition.

contactus · 10/12/2023 17:09

how far in miles is it?

contactus · 10/12/2023 17:10

Office is currently located in a town close to home with a staff car park

close to your home

Original poster
theexceliconisgreen · 10/12/2023 17:21

contactus · 10/12/2023 17:10

Office is currently located in a town close to home with a staff car park

close to your home

@contactus yes obviously my home...asking for advice for myself not others, it may suit others depending on where they live. It doesn't suit me, hence my post

OP posts:
contactus · 10/12/2023 17:23

how many miles away is it?

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 10/12/2023 17:34

That distance - they should be offering voluntary redundancy, compensation for travel costs or wfh.

You should ask about this and if nothing forthcoming call ACAS for advice.

contactus · 10/12/2023 17:50

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 10/12/2023 17:34

That distance - they should be offering voluntary redundancy, compensation for travel costs or wfh.

You should ask about this and if nothing forthcoming call ACAS for advice.

we don’t know the distance

and the 1.5 hours by public transport… single journey or round trip?

kisaki333 · 10/12/2023 17:53

I had a similar situation. Went from a 10 min walk commute to 2h each way via public transport. They offered voluntary redundancy but i didn't take it. I'm glad i didnt because just before they were going to start the move, covid hit. I got 2 more years of wfh.
When they started forcing us to go in, i found a new job and quit (as did most of the good staff they had).
It's a shitty situation but it might very well lead to a new and better job for you .
Try and see if they will let you wfh but I doubt they will. In our case , the logic was "if we let you, we have to let everyone". Yeah, duh!

Best of luck!
And remember the most valuable resource any of us have is time.

Cotswoldbee · 10/12/2023 18:02

Had exactly this with similar distances/travel-times.
Firm did offer payment to cover travel costs but this was for 2-years only, after that you were on your own. No payment for additional travel time.
Also offered voluntary redundancy with a decent package.

Did not like the sound of the train commute so as I was intending to retire in 18-months anyway it made perfect sense to take the money as I would have gained nothing by staying.

Original poster
theexceliconisgreen · 10/12/2023 21:30

Thanks for your responses, to answer some Qs:

It is 1.5+ hours each way so around 3hrs+ travel each day

There won't be any voluntary redundancy or packages offered

Currently travel 7 miles via car will now be travelling 30 miles via bus + train

OP posts:
Ellmau · 10/12/2023 21:56

Would it not be possible to drive the 30 miles?

Original poster
theexceliconisgreen · 10/12/2023 22:01

Ellmau · 10/12/2023 21:56

Would it not be possible to drive the 30 miles?

@Ellmau unfortunately not, in peak traffic it could take around the same time as bus and train (up to 1.5 hrs) and city centre parking would cost around £28.50 per day (no option for season tickets at the nearest car parks) plus petrol whereas bus and train will cost £17.50 per day which is still a fortune compared to the petrol I pay now but the cheapest option

OP posts:
contactus · 11/12/2023 06:04

big company? so you won’t be alone presumably. are you aware of colleagues also upset by this development?

contactus · 11/12/2023 06:05

how long have you been with the company?

autienotnaughty · 11/12/2023 06:38

I would start looking for a new job personally. I would hate a 1.5 commute (imagine it in rain) plus public transportation is so unreliable and expensive.

Or can you negotiate to wfh say 3 days a week. ?

chocomoccalocca · 11/12/2023 07:26

There should be a consultation period and an opportunity for you to raise concerns. When I had this they met with each person individually to agree what would happen going forward, they agreed to cover the costs of travelling for me and one of my colleagues changed to working 3 instead of 4 days and they paid additional travel costs. I assume you have time be in the office and can't do some wfh?

Original poster
theexceliconisgreen · 11/12/2023 07:34

We are only allowed to work from home one day a week so that means four days travelling into the office

OP posts:
SecondUsername4me · 11/12/2023 07:38

contactus · 10/12/2023 17:10

Office is currently located in a town close to home with a staff car park

close to your home

Most people factor in location when they apply for jobs, so I'm not sure what point you are trying to make here.

Now the employer is significantly changing the goalposts, so it's expected that the new location wouldn't work for some people - the OP probably would never have even applied for the job if it was always based in the city centre.

Is it the new HMRC office in Newcastle?

Gazelda · 11/12/2023 07:42

Is the business consulting on this?
Do you have a staff forum you can raise it with?
I can't imagine there will be no plans to offer redundancy/financial support/other options for staff.

fpqand · 11/12/2023 07:52

This nearly happened to me, public sector, there were a few options including voluntary redundancy but also that they would pay commuting costs (but didn't get that far so not quite sure what the policy was, assuming it had a limit and I believe a time limit too, think someone said 3 years). So many people tried to leave they had to reverse it.

contactus · 11/12/2023 07:57

OP presumably there will be many others in uproar, those with childcare arrangements that are not buggered up etc?

How long have you been there?

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