My job gave us an option to relocate to a new city last year which I took but I was under the impression that working from home would be more flexible as we had discussions about it.

Anonymous

August 16,2022 at 6:08PM UTC

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My job gave us an option to relocate to a new city last year which I took but I was under the impression that working from home would be more flexible as we had discussions about it. I have kids and wfh would benefit and balance my work/life balance (which my job also wants to improve on w/l balance)

...but since earlier this year, its mandatory 3 days in the office, which has increased my anxiety (its downtown, and i have a husband recovering from Sciatica)...but it doesnt matter if i talk about my concerns, it doesnt seem like anyone cares.

While in the office there s no difference than being home! How can I ask, and who, about needing more info regarding the business reason for coming in the office?

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Robin LampertAugust 16,2022 at 6:23PM UTC
There are multiple studies showing that work from home (WFH) can be as or more productive than from an office. (One link below) Try collecting information to show how much more effective you can be - focus on benefits to the organization - if allowed to WFH more. Talk about specific reasons to come in - special meetings, etc.
Good luck!
https://today.tamu.edu/2022/05/06/remote-work-doesnt-negatively-affect-productivity-study-suggests/
AnonymousAugust 16,2022 at 6:47PM UTC
The company has no obligation to share their decision making criteria with anyone. They can simply chalk it up to, "because we said so."
Elon Musj, Jamie Dimin, JP Morgan, Jeff Bezos/Amazon, Facebook and on and on have all decided the same thing. It's get back into the office of go find another job.
Now you can try and discuss the data and trends but that probably won't sway your leadership.
You can consider requesting special accommodations due to your husband's medical condition. That might be your strongest strategy.
Echo SchneiderAugust 16,2022 at 8:04PM UTC
As others have shared, it can be an unfortunate reality that their culture doesn't seem to support it now.
Did you have anything in writing with them about it when you made the change?
On a side note, my husband is a Certified Sports Massage Therapist and can help relieve sciatica completely. I hope your husband can find someone local to you and get that resolved once and for all. Don't let him suffer long term, find someone who can help resolve it in your area!
AnonymousAugust 16,2022 at 8:52PM UTC
It seems that clarity was not provided. More flexibility is relative to alot of people. For some who worked 5 days a week might find coming in 3 days per week to be flexible and to others like yourself not so much. What you should have done then and any other job you apply to is get specifics. Ask directly, so how many days are you allowing personnel staff to telework? Is their any training that requires personnel to be in the office everyday until complete? You would have needed to seek clarity to get clarity. Now that you are here, you do not get to set the standard for telework days, there should be an HR policy or written policy guidance that speaks to the telework agreement. Request to see it. Also talk to HR or your manager to see if they offer a maxiflex schedule, where you can flex your hours between a window 6am to 6pm to get thru your 80hrs per pay period. Some folks are allowed RDO where they work 10hr days so they can get the day off 1 day a week. Take the time to read what ever WRITTEN policies are applicable to you. So that even if they don't allow you to TW more days, the maxiflex or RDO schedule might be more amenable.