Hybrid Working and Flexible Working Requests

[Babs0205]

I've recently put in a flexible working request to work compressed hours, changing from 5 days to 4.

I currently work hybrid - 2 days in the office and 3 days at home as per my contract.

My flexible working request has been agreed on the condition I now work 3 days a week in the office. I don't wish to do this, as I don't want to commute another day, and I don't feel that my hybrid working should need to change.

Should hybrid and flexible be treated separately? Can they make changes to my hybrid hours to accomodate flexible working?

I would ask them their reasons for wanting you in the office more. I'm not sure but I think they would need to justify why they are asking you to come into the office more than you're contracted for.

If your contract actually says you work five days a week, and two of them are in the office (as opposed to just a written agreement or verbal one re. Those arrangements) and you want to change to doing four days a week then they’re perfectly entitled to ask tbh as surely your working hours are covered more broadly in the contract (I.e what days you’re working). You opened up the contract for discussion by wanting to change you’re working pattern, so they’re seizing their chance.

I’d take it as they actually don’t want you doing two days in the office - for whatever reason - or to do compressed hours, but have ‘put up’ (for lack of a better word) for now/don’t feel they could say no to your request, but you’ve given them an out and they want to take it.

Doesn’t make it right, but I can see why they’re jumping to make the request.

I think you need to speak to your employer and ask what the reasons are for the change to your WFH days.

When you ask for compressed hours you're essentially changing your contract. My guess is that your employer has increased office time in all new contracts and sees this as an opportunity to bring yours in line.

Equally, if your compressed hours mean working 4x longer days maybe they want some visibility that the extended hours are actually being worked each day.

Thanks for the replies so far. My contract is worded as 'minimum two days in the office per week' so does give some flexibility to increase I suppose.

You are correct that they do not like hybrid /remote working as a general rule, but there is a team of around 20 that are on hybrid contracts.

I haven't actually mentioned my contract yet, I have just made the request for reduced days but it was a question on my mind.

There has never been any concern over my performance or hours worked from home etc previously. I actually get far more done at home without office chit chat etc. The suggestion of extra days in the office is purely for visibility, although I often wouldn't see anyone most days anyway!

Working more days in the office is not something I wish to do so if this was a compulsory requirement I would retract my request and continue with my current working pattern whilst looking for another role that could accommodate it.

I think PP may have hit the nail on the head, they may be increasing the office time for all new starts/changes to contract.
Has there been new people started recently? What does their working pattern look like, are they only wfh 1 day a week and office other days?

All new starters get the same as existing staff but it's really only so we can attract new recruits. In most other workplaces our roles would most likely be fully remote or max one day in the office but our senior leadership would scrap it entirely if they could.