The Unite union has hit out at a plan by NatWest to reduce the rights of 30,000 of its employees to work from home.
NatWest says it is moving to a hybrid approach where workers will be required to attend the office at least two days a week, from February.
The bank says this is still very competitive with the rest of the finance industry, and exceptions will be made for colleagues who require additional flexibility.
But Unite said NatWest's decision was “out of touch with the realities facing its workforce”, with many facing higher travel and childcare costs.
Firms have been gradually drawing people back into the office since working from home became the norm for some office workers during the Covid pandemic.
Jo Mackie, Employment Partner with national law firm Michelmores, comments:
“There is no automatic right to work from home, it is a contractual benefit and workers need to be flexible.”
Jo Mackie, Employment Partner, Michelmores
“It is largely the norm since Covid, to allow staff to work hybrid (ie 2 days at home and 3 days in the office for example). If the business believes working in the office is beneficial, and there is good evidence that it is both for workers' mental health and for the coherent team working of the company, refusal could mean disciplinary action for failure to follow a reasonable management instruction.”
