Extreme measures to get WFH-ers back to site?

[skyroofwindow]

Background: Doing an office based job in large department in multinational company. People you interact with are often on other sites and in different countries. When lockdown started the entire department was told to WFH and not come onto site to avoid bringing Covid in and jeopardising operations. Productivity maintained across the department during pandemic and in the time after as people adapted to WFH. Company now wants people back on site, which is not unusual across the corporate world. But there is huge reluctance at this Company/site - especially as now there are not enough desks so if you don't book one a month in advance you end up sitting in the canteen!

Company is now taking a harder line getting people back on site and there are two facts I'm not happy with:
*Whether you receive a bonus this year will depend on whether you are meeting their target for numbers of days on site
*There is a public spreadsheet showing everyone's attendance rate, which includes people I know who have particular circumstances (eg health related) impacting their ability to work onsite

While it is entirely in the Company's rights to try and enforce/encourage people back to the office, the bonus and the spreadsheet make me deeply uncomfortable. But I'm not having much success identifying a specific reason other than it's creating a hostile environment, and staff morale is through the floor. Do I have anything specific I can take to HR? They are aware and seem ok with it so far.

I don't think the company is doing anything wrong. You've said in your post the company has every right to enforce people back to the office so there's your answer there. There isn't anything specific you can take to HR because the reasons are that some people just prefer to WFH. Those who don't like it can look for another job.

Check your employment contract. It probably says that they have the right to ask you to work at their premises full time. However, it should also say something about the environment they provide for you. You should not be having to work in the canteen and that will contravene occupational health guidelines.

I would check that point and push back on that basis if you're willing to pursue it. But to be honest I'd probably be looking another job. I would not want to work for a company with this sort of culture.

You could mention to HR that there needs to be enough desks for everyone and that people should not be working in the canteen. I would go with these issues rather than people's personal preference to WFH.

It's OK for them to make people come in.

Not OK to make people work from the canteen.

There needs to be space for everyone if they want everyone in.

They need to implement a hot desk policy if there aren't enough desks. Working in a canteen is ridiculous.

Are they asking people to come in every day?

The bonus thing is fair enough. The spreadsheet is a bit "name and shame". But unless the people impacted by health conditions or whatever have reasonable adjustments or a flexible working agreement in place they should be treated the same as everyone else and bound by whatever their contract says. The canteen working is unreasonable, everyone should have access to a proper workstation which can be adjusted ergonomically, occupational health may well have something to say about that.

In all likelihood the only thing that will make them change their mind is losing staff or finding it hard to recruit.

Asking people to be onsite but not having enough desks to accommodate them is an issue though.

What happens if someone doesn’t book their desk in time?
What happens if too many people decide to still turn up and there isn’t enough desks?

I mean, asking people to be back in the office is one thing (contract dependent ). Bit asking them to do so AND not providing desks is another imo.

You all need to go in on one day and create havoc about there not being enough space and your bonuses depending on it.

The bonus bit seems fair enough I think. But not really the public spreadsheet unless they specify people with exceptions (generally, not saying specifically what they are-but even that's a bit awful).
Fairly common practice to have to book a desk now too I think? You just need to be very organised!

Ask HR how they are handling the potential discrimination arising from the public spreadsheet.

Ridiculous! Look for another job

Company is now taking a harder line getting people back on site and there are two facts I'm not happy with:
*Whether you receive a bonus this year will depend on whether you are meeting their target for numbers of days on site
*There is a public spreadsheet showing everyone's attendance rate, which includes people I know who have particular circumstances (eg health related) impacting their ability to work onsite

The company can set any criteria they like about how employees qualify for bonus.

I don't like the spreadsheet thing, but that is a matter of opinion. Attendance is a fact, and not in itself discriminatory. If people are unable to work from the office or need reduced office time because of disability or flexible working agreements, then that is a matter between them and management - having adjustments doesn't change facts. Management will know if they are meeting their agreed targets or not.

I don't see any legal argument here with the exception of working in the canteen - but I suspect that that might be something of an exaggeration? We also have less desk space than people, but I don't know anyone booking a month in advance or having to use the canteen. However, if that is the case there is a route via DSE and H&S because canteen tables and chairs would not meet safe standards.

There is a public spreadsheet showing everyone's attendance rate, which includes people I know who have particular circumstances (eg health related) impacting their ability to work onsite I think this is a data protection issue, you might want to check.

I was about to suggest the same.

My team actually did this. 20 members of staff turned up to sit at 4 desks. Needless to say we are no longer asked to come in.

Have this where I work. It's infuriating. They want people back but there's not enough car parking spaces, not the right tech in meeting rooms and half the time the desks dont have mice or other bits of kit!

Can I ask the specific reason they want people back?

I might need to borrow it to (begrudgingly) get my team back in.

The reasons we've been given are 'we have this office space that isn't being used' (downsize?). 'It's so great when there's a buzz in here' (fair - but ultimately doesn't contribute to getting the job done!). I should add I've never worked at a place where everyone is so committed and passionate* about what they do - there are no performance issues and business is thriving.

*ironically we are in sustainability which makes me laugh as I drive my car for 1.5 hours a day in/home from the office - along with everyone else (and no, public transport is not the answer here).

@skyroofwindow where did they all sit before??? I personally think wfh should be banned! how can anyone pay attention to their work if they are looking after their children or putting the washing on???? look at passport office, dvla to name but a few, they need to return!

You have had the luxury of wfh for years. Now the boss wants you back in the office, if you don't like it leave. Plenty had to go to work through lockdown and plenty have had to leave their cave everyday and go to work since the pandemic. Now it is your turn.

Most businesses won't allow childcare to be covered while working from home. I don't know any professional who would even consider it.

How many days a week are they asking you to be in? I think it is normal and reasonable to have two days a week in the office for full time staff. Is there enough desk space available to book for this level of office attendance?

My work do this. Only after about a year of people making every excuse in the book to avoid coming in one day a week. It really isn't a lot to ask, and suddenly now bonus and pay rises are impacted, it's much less of a headache.

I would look for another job.
They are cf wanting people back in but not even providing enough desks for people.

That doesn't mean it doesn't happen

Where did everyone sit pre-pandemic? Have they reduced their office space?

I agree with PP’s that no one should be working in the canteen. The public spreadsheet sounds awful.

The public shaming is awful and the desk issue is ridiculous but they can definitely ask and expect everyone to attend work.

Are you a member of a union? If yes contact them.