Working from home disagreement with boss

[Nomad2009]

Post pandemic the company director agreed that I could work from home twice a week, this was in lieu of a salary rise as the company couldn't and still can't afford proper salary rise (our sector was very badly hit by pandemic first and Brexit after), other staff also wfh sometimes, I don't know if and what agreement they have.
Recently when I let her know I was wfh on certain days, my line manager has commented twice that when we get to our peak busy period she wants people in the office. During the peak period, or any other time when necessary, I have always been in the office, I manage my own work and I know when I need to be there . What's irking me about her comments, is that at weekends during the peak period, I often get contacted by colleague if there is an issue, technically they shouldn't because I am not their manager and most times they could have found the solution themselves. I am.not contracted to work weekends, I am not a manager, I will get paid for the time but not at the overtime rate and I don't get a day off in lieu. So peak times can be 4 or more weeks without an actual day completely off when I don't have to deal with work issues.
So it suits the company that I work from home at weekends by effectively being on call even if unofficially, and with no set rota, but not if I wfh when I want to and doesn't affect the work.
Has anyone else been in this situation? Can the company backtrack on their agreement regarding wfh? I am getting so pissed off and had to hold back biting back at line manager.

What does your contract say about where your place of work is? Does it say the business address?

I would stop responding to any contact from work over the weekends if you are only contracted to work during the week.

I would also remind your manager of the arrangement that was agreed in term of home working. Do you have it in writing?

It sounds like your employer is taking the piss in general with no pay rise, expecting you to work weekend and not respecting WFH arrangements, so I would start looking at another job.

Dig out old communications about working from home to see what was agreed (if you have something in writing).

If it has been agreed that you can work from home two days each week as part of your benefits you could remind them of this and show them the yconversation. If you don't mind helping at busy times you could say "OK I'll come in during the busy weeks and make up my working from home days after" and have some full weeks working from home after.

If you don't want to get contacted about work on the weekend don't pick up the phone or answer your emails - just say "I don't work weekends" or "I was out".

Why are you working for free, on the weekends especially?

The wfh element is entirely dependent on what it says in your contract and if you have anything in writing to confirm arrangements. If it was all agreed verbally then I’m afraid legally the company change their mind. Same for the weekend work - if this is not in your contract you can decline to do it.

Two separate issues, you should deal with them individually.

I had something similar happen. If a change happens for a period of time ( think two years but check with ACAS) that only verbally agreed and not written into your contract and no one challenges it in that time, then it become part of your contract

If they remove any of your benefits, then you remove theirs in return. It works both ways.

They are two separate issues.

1. Your WFH agreement and whether you want to have it honoured during the busy period too. WFH should never be in place of a pay rise btw, that's terrible practice!

1. Being effectively on call all weekend for no pay. Stop doing this until you agree some boundaries and compensation. It's not healthyor sustainable.

Thank you all for your comments.

To answer a couple of points..

I get paid for extra hours worked, but not at overtime rate. Or I can take it as time in lieu which doesn't happen, as I don't even use my full annual leave.

I have been with the company 13 years, wfh wasn't possible then. My place of work in the contract is the office but myself and other staff have been given company laptops to work from home.

It's a family owned company, I am in a small team, under staffed and not really managed properly by anyone, on top of our main area of work we each have other responsibilities which makes it complicated to have a rule to fit everyone regarding being present on the office.

I have thought about looking for a different job but I am 62 and counting the days to retirement, when I looked at jobs in the area there isn't much in my salary range. And frankly I don't really want to have to start all over again.

I am glad I wasn't wrong in feeling my boss is being unreasonable, if she makes more remarks I will speak to her and if she insists on no wfh I will withdraw any goodwill like answering emails and calls at weekends and supporting colleagues outside my role. Basically quietly quitting.

I understand your concern however businesses that allowed wfh in Covid (now 5 years ago) are adapting to changing needs of the business and as such expect staff to be flexible to change.
i don’t think your Manager is being unreasonable if she is asking you to come in once or twice a week.
If the wfh was in lieu of a Pay rise did you get that in writing and for how long. Covid was 5 years ago and employees are still hanging onto it unfortunately.
What did we all do before ?
Yes we worked 5 days in an office so you are Saving on travel costs.
If you aren’t in a wfh contract unfortunately you don’t have a leg to stand on.

She's asking me to go in every day, and yes it was in lieu of a pay rise and confirmed by email. Of course business needs should be respected and in the busy period I am in every day. It's more a matter of flexibility and good will being shown on both sides.
Your comments are helpful though, thank you.

I would ask for clarification.
Is the 5 days in the office permanent or just busy periods.
I agree flexibility is needed on both sides and employees work better if they feel listened to. Raise this again and explain the impact on you of going in everyday if it isn’t needed.

If they aren't willing to meet you half way, then just keep your wfh schedule until it ends up with HR - let them make comments.

Family business loyalty isn't your problem quite frankly. It works both ways, if it ends up you going back more then stick to your hours and nothing more.