New Job not hybrid as stated at interview

[Starsaroundmyscars]

I start a new job on Monday. At interview, again when I was offered the job and when arranging my working pattern, I asked and was assured that there would be the option for hybrid working. Today I have received my contract to sign and it states ‘office based’. I don’t have childcare in place to manage being office based, and I would not have accepted the job if I had been told this sooner. Should I try push back on this?

I am contractually a home worker and that means that when I do go into the office, my travel, parking, fuel etc is paid for, as I am not at my normal place of work. Likewise, I cannot go into the office without there being ‘business need’ because there are tax implications.

I think it likely that the contract has to specify home or office based for these reasons. Hybrid working is then flexibility - within an office based contract - to not have to be in the office full time, but doesn’t mean that your travel to that office is paid for.

So I would think you are probably fine but your employer will be the one to ask.

I had similar with a job and it turned out to be the first red flag about their culture and awful internal comms/HR. Sorry to put a downer on it, but listen/read their reply really carefully. My employer did lots of sidestepping and then it became very clear a few months in that they were not going to be as flexible as they once claimed. Such a waste of everyone’s time. Place was full of miserable, trapped people.

Sorry for the delay in updating. So I started on Monday and have finally received clarification that it is to be office based but there is flexibility if I need it, but more in emergency situations. But those 2 days that I had thought I could do from home will now be in the office. I am leaving an additional hour earlier on the days that I do school pick up and I will make up the time in the evening.
I am really disappointed as this is really not what I felt had been agreed on several occasions, but as I had already left my job when I finally got the contract through last week, I have had to go with it. A lesson learned to get things in writing and hopefully things will work out.

Oh that’s disappointing that they’ve changed what they told you! I guess it’s a flex to leave early but make up the time but very annoying that wasn’t what they promised you initially.

That's really bad, I'd be so annoyed.

I've heard this done to people in my company - agree to what they want in interviews then once the contract goes out it ends up 9-5 in office, then when people say anything they're allowed to start a little later or finish earlier but then have to do the catch ups evenings and/ or weekends.

Even silly things like the travel time and money plus the night before wfh you don't have to prepare lunch for work/ iron clothes etc- it's just an easier time preparing. Even hair washing isn't essential!

How are you finding the job though?