Office Relocation - new commute is impossible

[RotundCheese]

I started a new job at the beginning of the year. In February it was announced that the office would be moving in March; the new office is a two hour drive away for me.

It is a well paying job and I would prefer to continue working for the organisation, but the commute is horrible (I have been doing it since the beginning of March). My flexible working request (hybrid working or condensed hours) has been denied. I need to be in the office 5 days a week.

I think my only option now is to hand in my notice - is this correct? Does anyone have any other ideas?

Also, I have a three month notice period, but there's nothing to stop me leaving with less notice, is there? I don't care about getting a reference.

surely, surely, every one else in the company is impacted by this???

How long was your original commute?

If you’ve only been there since Jan, are you still within your probation period? In which case you may not need to give three months.

What does everyone else think?

this happened to me but I was given a choice to relocate or get a modest redundancy package. I chose the latter.

When our office relocated we were paid petrol money for our commute for 3 years.

It's a US company with several UK offices. One of the offices (mine) is only six people - we've been merged with another office, hence the move.

A few of us have been severely impacted, yes. But I am the only employee with less than two years service - the others could ask for redundancy because of the relocation (no one has).

It was 45 minutes on public transport.

in that case…. they’re essentially making the other employees redundant and you out of a job. So very little to do other than yes, hand in your notice and i suspect they will be supportive because that was their plan

If you like the job, would you consider moving house?

no one has asked for redundancy so they will do 4 hours commuting a day?

Did they tell you at interview they would be relocating or hold any staff meetings.

would you for a job you started a few weeks ago?

@Clearinguptheclutter I think I'm entitled to one week's redundancy, which wouldn't see me through to finding a new job. They definitely wouldn't offer me anything above statutory. I think I have to stick it out until I find something else and then leave with a short notice period.

Did they run a consultation on the relocation? they should have. And usually they'd make arrangements to either offer compromises or funding of costs etc for that period or offer redundancy.

In terms of notice they can force you to work it. It's usually a matter of negotiation

No, no one else has such a long commute. I think it's less than an hour's drive for everyone else. Which is still bad, especially for those who used to cycle or walk to work, but not quite as bad as mine!

Cheers, I guessed as much but was hoping there was maybe something I had overlooked.😔Oh well - onto the next one!!

Are you sure you'd get redundancy when it doesn't sound like you're being made redundant

I guess finding a new job is probably the most realistic option

No I wouldn’t, because I’m tied to schools etc. but maybe her circumstances are different and if it was a really good job as she says, then maybe she would consider it.

Is there a relocation clause in your contract? Often they have a right to relocate up to x miles - check it’s within this

currently what is your commute?

and your colleagues?

@Anameisaname @TraitorsGate Yes, there was a consultation. We all asked for WFH days/an uplift due to extra costs, etc. At the end we were told there would be no change to terms/contracts beyond the place of work changing and that we could take it or leave it. 🤷🏻

I don't agree that they can force you to work your notice.

Theoretically they can sue you. They would have to take you to court - which I don't expect they would bother. What would they have to gain? In the unlikely event that they did take you to court I think the judge would find that they frustrated your employment contract by moving your job 2 hours from your home.

When did the consultation start?

No, there was no such clause, hence having to consult and sign new contracts with the updated location. They initially said they would not be offering redundancy, because the new office was not a significant distance away (it's less than 20 miles from the old office) but then changed their minds and said people could either sign or take redundancy.

You could offer your employer the choice that you can work your notice remotely or not at all. Just say you can't get there. It's not possible.