Mums forced into office by big UK company?

[MM90]

I work for a big, well-known company. The bosses are considering plans to force all colleagues to come to the office 3 days a week. They are thinking about checking our turnstile data individually and disciplining anyone who doesn’t come in for 3 days every week, whether they need to be there or not. I thought this was the 21st century where working women have the chance to create a sensible work / life balance so long as they perform in their job. My line manager gave me a great performance rating during Covid. I have two children under 5 and no family nearby. Any thoughts on this?

I am in two minds. WFH does hugely benefit women, but equally, given all the threads on here where people WFH while their preschool/primary age children are at home, can see.why employers are losing patience with their staff.

Well if you didn't have an "office job" you'd have to go into your work place. Most jobs require people to actually be there.

Unless you were employed on a wfh basis or have a confirmed flexible working pattern an employer is entitled to expect on site attendance. You need to put childcare in place to cover it or renegotiate.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/08/boots-orders-support-staff-back-into-office-five-days-a-week-from-september

People are already turning down jobs, leaving, submitting flexible working requests which by all accounts are being declined in the main.

Our staff came back 3 days a week in early 2022. The mums managed...do the dads not play a part?

If it’s going to affect you then submit a flexible working application pronto. We have no set rules around WFH or being in the office other than to make ourselves available for face to face meetings. Despite this I still have a formal flexible working arrangement agreed via HR and my manager so if anything does change I know i’m covered.

And it could be discriminatory to make concessions for "mums" but not other employees.

You picked a job where you knew the hours ?
Your children should not be being looked after by you during working hours so what's the issue?

Yes, I managed a big team and always felt , for all sorts of reasons, that flexibility should be applied across the board. I think that benefits mums too as they aren't resented or on the back foot

I have two children under 5 and no family nearby. Any thoughts on this?

Yes my thoughts are who is looking after your children in working hours. If you pay for childcare then why can't you go to the office.

If you're looking after children when you're meant to be working then you need to sort put and pay for childcare and go to the office.

So are you doing childcare for 2 under 5s during your working hours? That's exactly why more & more employers are insisting on a return to the office.

But she does have an office job, so this is irrelevant.

I really dont see the issue sorry with hybrid working as they are suggesting. It's not just targeted at working parents I assume?
Businesses can make decisions as to what they think is best for their business if that's incompatible with your set up then you have the right to find another job.

Working parents have had to juggle children, childcare, commutes and being present in an office part time/full time for decades yet its suddenly become insurmountable for so many these days.......

They’re not targeting mums are they, the policy applies to everyone. There are plenty of fully remote jobs if that’s what you want.

Were you recruited as WFH or not?

Our roles were office based until Covid and now hybrid, 50-60% office time is mandatory. I think that’s entirely reasonable.

It’s not reasonable if your contract is fully remote though-my DH is fully remote, he doesn’t earn a huge amount but with zero commute cost it balances out ok. If he had to start to travel in (we are rural) the job wouldn’t pay enough.

It's clearly not working ( neither are the 'mums' by the sound of it)

And 3 days is nothing

What does your contract say about WFH?
Who looks after your children while you are working?

What childcare do you currently use?

I think 3 days is reasonable, my ideal would be 5 out of 10. I am a lone parent but I believe all staff should have some flexible working. For many years I didn't take school holidays but I support childless colleagues if they want school holidays or Christmas off. Their time is equally as important as mine. Have you done a business case to present your view if you sint agree with it? I have always found this better than complaining or a flat no.

Apart from those staff who are exclusively contracted to work from home, we require all employees to come to the office 3 days per week. If staff don't want that, they are free to look for alternative employment. Employers have to do what's best for the business.

Three days a week is more than reasonable to be back in face to face

Well as its for everyone I can't see any issues.

Your childcare is your problem, not your employers.

I'm also irritated by the suggestion that mums are the only ones with childcare responsibilities.

I have two children under 5 and no family nearby

us too (*well, they're now 8/4, but at one point they were both under 5) and DH works from home 3 days a week - kids have still been in FT local childcare since each one was 9 months old.

Compulsory in my workplace. Attendance tool in place to record, well, attendance. Loads of people (including myself) not happy about it, but we are an office based business, so there we are...
The title of your OP is annoying ("Mums" being "forced") . Really?