Annoyed with colleagues comment

[Cluelessfirstimer]

Been at my job for 10 years. We went fully remote during covid. I relocated. Not a million miles away from the office, but a good 2 hr commute and a pretty hefty train fare.

Anyway 2 years ago they changed from fully remote to 2/3 days in the office a week. 2 days for certain roles and 3 days for more collaborative roles. Its not a strict rule, if you have plumbers or appointments in a week they dont mind if you dont hit that. Its not particularly checked.

I had a chat with my boss and said I wouldnt be able to do this. They agreed that given my role (think like a dev type role. I have very little collaboration) and the fact they really needed me, and I moved during the time they were remote this wouldnt apply to me.

I go into the office about 2 times a month. Sometimes less sometimes a little bit more. Whenever I am needed for an in person meeting im there.

Anyway sorry a lot of waffle! As I was leaving Friday a colleague commented "oh there goes 'Sally' finishing her hobby job" I turned and said what and they said "oh nothing just your special treatment" or something like that.

I was livid but was running out the door. I have been doing this for the last few years and the person who said this lives a 11 minute walk from the office and as far as I know hasnt asked about flexibility needs or wants it.

Should I say something Tuesday? Leave it? I can take a joke but the tone really bothered me.

Don't be sorry and don't feel you need to justify yourself! If she says anything again then I'd raise it with your manager - and if your manager is half decent they will deal with it swiftly and firmly.

We all have to pay transport costs to work though..

So they just see you turn up every few weeks and that's it? No wonder they think you dont take it seriously.

Of course but I couldn't afford £800 a month to do that!

Yes they absolutely can have one rule for one and a different rule for another in these situations. It's how flexible working requests work - I suggest you read up on this subject because you sound like you have absolutely no idea how these operate.

Its SO frustrating because I immediately felt like I had to do just that.

Youre so right though. I absolutely dont. My agreement and my job is nothing to do with them.

Work places absolutely can have one rule for one person and a different rule for another in certain circumstances.

We all get paid differently depending on our skill set, years of experience and sometimes negotiating power.

In some industries you can negotiate for extra holiday allowance.

Companies often hire employees based in different countries because of their expertise.

I could understand the colleague being resentful if they did exactly the same job and had both asked for flexible working and only the OP got it.

But they work in different departments, doing different types of work, and the OP was so valued by her manager that they went out of their way to keep her by offering flexible working.

OP has a skill set and job that the colleague does not.

I’d be livid too OP. How dare they? ‘Hobby job’??? What the eff.

they are a twat. I’m sure they bitch and Lisa others off too if they are that blatant.

If you think it won’t weaken your arrangement, I would speak to your boss and let them know. If they’ve created a multi-tiered environment it’s for them to sort out.

if you’re worried it could cause them to reconsider, I’d suck it up and wait for the bitchy person to pick on their next issue.

Be the bigger person here and ignore her comment. She'd be very happy to get a reaction from you I'm guessing, so don't rise to the bait. It's none of her business, your contract with your employer.

Of course they can
when everyone else went back to the office after Covid and did 1-2 days WFH, I stayed full time WFH as agreed via occupational health
I’m immunocompromised

I think the problem is that Covid revealed how unsuited some people are to remote working, and it’s created an atmosphere where people who’ve had bad experiences with co-workers resent the WFH people and assume they are slacking.

Some of us were remote working for years/decades before Covid and it didn’t generate this kind of jealousy because it was just seen as right for type of work.

It is something to do with them, if they are not being treated the same.

I noticed that my male colleague was being treated better than men many ways. I argued for it to be equal and it was made equal then

Yes I do. But from a pov of fairness then no they cant. Choosing to move too far away is not a fair reason for inequality.

They don’t do the same job! That’s why they are treated differently - they probably earn different amounts too.

That is different. That is a reasonable workplace adjustment and I would hope that employers are understanding of that.

I probably wouldn’t address it after the event but if it’s mentioned again, I’d lean into it. Special treatment? That’s cos I’m indispensable. Off home already? Yeah, bye losers!

It doesn't matter that they are doing different jobs. Everyone has the right to submit a flexible working request. She said the others have to come into the office more because they have a more collaborative role. That doesn't really make sense. I used to do a fully work from home role. My Role was very collaborative. Collaborative work can be done from home easily,

They have irritated a few people for different reasons...

I dont think it would weaken my arrangement or change it. I used to mention it to my boss in our catch ups like ill be in the office x day this month. Is me working this way working still (because I was paranoid!) and his answer was always its working really well for the business we are very happy with your work and are incredibly happy you are here etc... but then im just like whats the point... why should I even entertain it enough to bring it up to my boss.

'Yes I am special, thank you'.

Nothing is stopping them submitting a request though...

i come and go as I please. I head up a high performing department I built from scratch. The agreement when I agreed to join was that I will leave early to accommodate childcare pick ups. I know people question my hours - without a doubt I work longer and deliver more, just not physically in the office - and it's irritating, but ultimately their issues are not my problem

I WISH I HAD THE CONFIDENCE TO RECITE THIS WORD FOR WORKD!

Brilliant !!

You’ve got it cushty don’t ruin it for yourself. Say nothing!

Let them be annoyed, that’s a them problem. It’s something they should take up with their management if it bothers them that much. They’ll probably be told to mind their own beeswax!

The company can run their business as they see fit as long as they comply with the law.

Businesses can and do offer all sorts of perks and bonuses to employees based on their skills, experience and how much the company wants to keep the employee.

If you have in demand skills you can negotiate more money, more holiday time, more expenses, flexible working, special training, attending work conferences all expenses paid etc etc.

It’s down to the individual to negotiate.

OP was prepared to walk away from the job. Manager wanted to keep her.

Ask to fully remote - simple. You are getting special treatment as you’re not adhering to the hybrid working policy. The only way to make it fair on everyone is going fully remote. And believe me - every company is keeping an eye on in-ottice attendance as office spaces cost a tonne and headcount vs deskcount vs attendance is always monitored. So do everyone a favour and fully WFH.