New office attendance policy - Not sure where I stand

[sunflower122]

Originally posted on AIBU but someone recommended posting here too:

I took on a new role around two years ago. The company wanted me to be based in a particular office further north (about a three hour each way commute away.)

I said that was fine but I could only do that commute once a week. This was agreed in writing. I genuinely would not have taken the job if they had not agreed to this - my old job was fine!

The company have now announced a mandatory three day a week in the office policy.

I genuinely cannot do this with a six hour commute and it wasn't the basis on which I accepted the role.

Do I need to leave pretty much immediately?

@sunflower122 No. Your contract is for what you agreed with them. You have been working to this pattern and even if it’s not in writing, this is the contract and they haven’t sought to alter it. Now they are but they haven’t discussed it with you. It’s a variation to your contract. I would look up ACAS website and see what your options might be. In effect it’s dismissing you as the contract terms are now not possible. So negotiate an exit strategy and some compensation. Don’t walk out.

You have it in writing that you do one day a week in the office so the new policy doesn't apply to you. No need to worry at this stage, if you are concerned just discuss with your line manager and remind them of the agreement if you need to.

The op clearly thinks it does apply. So clarity regarding the contract is vital. Contracts do not have to be in writing. A contract is established by a working pattern. Yes, the op must check if this applies, but if it does, actions are needed.

when my company did something like this, those of us with long-standing incompatible agreements(mine pre-dated covid) pointed out the problem and the company realized that they had to make two policies. We are now in the system under a different categorization of office assignment.

Not sure who you work for, but a lot of the big 4 and others are closing down on the homeworking thing. It does sometimes depend on where your home office is. To give an example. I live near Leeds, there is an office in Leeds, although I hardly ever go there because all of my clients are in London, so I go up and down, and get my expenses paid for. Had I said that I was London staff, I would have got a better salary, but I would have been expected to travel to them "like a local person" with no expenses paid. My understanding of the recent changes in my company are that you are required to be in the office (any office) 3 days a week. I'm either in the London office, or I could go into the local Leeds office if required to make the 3 days up. Wouldn't be my choice really, but I am old school, where you were in the office 5 days a week, so anything is a bonus. I think it is really hitting some groups of people hard - those that want to save on travel cost and wrap-around child care costs, and equally the young , who, (maybe influenced by covid) who see an online presence as being enough. Back to the original issue, if you have a contract that supersedes the latest missive, then seek clarification. Hope this helps xx