My company was hybrid when I was hired, I was told I had to be in the office one day a week.

20 Comments

1. AprilAugust 17,2022 at 3:54PM UTC

   I'm so sorry this happened to you. My company was forced to work remotely during the pandemic; we're in NY State and that was the only option for staying open. It was not something management was happy about. After six months, employees were called back into the office full time.

   I often wondered why we didn't stay remote as a company. It seemed like a no-brainer to me - but I didn't know the whole story.

   A month ago, I was part of renovations to one of our departments. The work would require the affected employees to work remotely. That's when I heard the question from management, "Do you think they'll actually work at home?"

   After hearing that question, and noticing other things in the office, it became clear that the reason we are all required to work in the office is simply because some cannot be trusted to work efficiently from home. As a business owner, I can see why we work in the office. As an employee, I can see why many were angry at the few for forcing this in-office mandate on the many.

   I can't answer for the company you work for. All I can say is that by the comments you made, perhaps this was a similar situation where the few who didn't work well from home make it necessary for all to work in the office.

   It definitely sounds like it is no longer a good fit for you, and I agree that you should leave. This is your opportunity to find a position that works for you and your family - not the other way around.

   I wish you the best of luck!

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 17,2022 at 4:08PM UTC

   YOU SAID:

   "it became clear that the reason we are all required to work in the office is simply because some cannot be trusted to work efficiently from home."

   Is it that those employees weren't working or that management doesn't trust their employees?

3. AprilAugust 17,2022 at 5:49PM UTC

   I don't know for sure, but based on my observations, I would say it's a little bit of both.

   Our employees were thrown into their homes to work while kids and families were home. Many didn't have a "quiet place" to work, and during COVID, it wasn't like you could just call a baby sitter to watch the kids.

   I also know that management is more "traditional" in their business operations. There's nothing wrong with that, although since COVID, many companies were able to see there could be a better way of doing business.

4. Leonor FitzgeraldAugust 17,2022 at 4:21PM UTC

   I would have a conversation with the CEO and remind him of your conditions when you took on the position. If you can renegotiate your terms. For example, I am willing to come in on Wednesdays with an X% increase to my salary to compensate for the additional commute cost, I would be incurring. I could understand them wanting to bring you back in the office if it was a remote position that happened due to Covid. However, you were hired as a remote worker. If they are not willing to compromise, or you are unable to perhaps it is time to move on. Sometimes just the threat of leaving will rattle the cage. However, if you threaten to leave be prepared to leave if they don't bend their position. Best of luck, you have to do what's right for you and your family.

5. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 4:57PM UTC

   If there is no accommodation that they can offer to keep you with the same schedule, then you have no choice but to look for a new job with a schedule you can accept.

6. AngieAugust 17,2022 at 5:10PM UTC

   I agree that you should talk to the CEO and HR and your manager. Maybe you could ask if particular metrics or tasks did not get done and come up with some checkpoints/controls to help his/her concern? But yes you do need to be prepared to leave if push comes to shove. Some companies are really taking a hard stance about coming back into the office

7. Kimberley Ferretti HammettAugust 18,2022 at 8:26PM UTC

   Yes, they can and it doesn't make them wrong. Also, your feelings are valid and you're not wrong for wanting to leave or for wishing they wouldn't ask this of you.

   Try looking at it objectively in this way:

   When you were hired both the company and you were aligned in thinking the hybrid schedule benefitted both the company and it's employees. Along the way, something changed and the company felt calling people in was the best option to meet their new goals or direction. I'm not here to determine if this was a solid decision or not, but they have the right to change based on what they think is best. Same as you do. It's frustrating and stressful to suddenly become misaligned, but they can't promise to stay aligned to your needs in perpetuity. If you changed your mind and decided you wanted to change careers it would inconvenience the company but they can't blame you for doing what you feel is best for you.

   Hopefully this perspective takes some of the tense feelings away for you and a little more clarity as you search for your next steps. I think this perspective helps with interviews and such too. I found I sound much more professional when I explain my layoffs with this genuine objective understanding. "The needs of the company changed and therefore my position had to change but I just wasn't a right fit for where they were going . I wouldn't have been happy if I continued to try to fit in that box anyway."

   I think a lot of us were told to find stability in careers but todays world changes fast and constantly and we all just have to keep finding what is best for us. I hope you do!

8. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 1:05PM UTC

   Thanks for the reply, I should not have bothered posting anything because I am diligently looking for another opportunity anyway. This is not the place for me.  Though I understand what you are saying, my one post did not articulate everything that is happening - which is far more than just abruptly changing the hybrid policy.  I can honestly say this was not due to productivity issues - there were no productivity issues, if anything productivity has gone down since people have been forced back. Younger team mates had to get second jobs because the cost of commuting is too high and they do not make a living wage. Oddly enough the managers who had to relay this new policy actually said that due to inflation, gas prices and supply chain issues it is important we are in the office. I'm not sure how cramming people into an office where I see people sometimes sitting on the floor to work solves any of those issues. At the office, we do not have conference rooms, desks or quiet areas. My team cannot hear the people they are talking to on the phone and the people on the phone can hear the insanely loud noises of people and machinery in the background. I assure you the needs of the business has not changed, this is just one of many knee jerk reactions that resulted in punishing the whole company. They just slowly strip away all the things they touted during the recruiting process, yet still spend insane money on catering and snacks because that should keep people happy. Since my start at this org it's been less than ideal. The people who recruited me all were fired a month after starting, my job/manager has changed twice in less than 8 months and now I'm doing 2 very distinctly different jobs. HR has not approached me at all since I started (even when my team was let go) and actually didn't show up to a meeting I scheduled with them, my original role was entered incorrectly when I started making me an IC instead of a manager despite my title being manager - that was never rectified and I was told to just write my own job description. It's a toxic place and I know it - I guess I needed to just get out my disappointment for my decision to leave a job I had for a long time and how my current company has been operating since I started. Thanks for your reply though, I do get what you are saying.

9. Kimberley Ferretti HammettAugust 19,2022 at 2:08PM UTC

   I'm glad you posted! In those moments of frustration some times we need to get it out, even if it's not clear or articulated in the way we hoped for, it can still be helpful. I'm sure you've processed some more since posting and maybe even seeing the responses that didn't fit your situation helped you sort through it in attempting to explain (I know that happens for me all the time)! It's clear from your response that the call back was the last straw in a line of proof that this company is not aligned with your needs or values. I'm sorry you've found yourself there but glad you're recognizing it and have resolved to get out! Hoping you find yourself somewhere great AND that you are able to take some sort of nugget from your experience like how NOT to treat employees or what your boundaries are/red flags to investigate.

   All the best!

10. Cindy LaceyAugust 21,2022 at 7:21PM UTC

    I have been retired since before the pandemic but had similar experience. Because we were offered full remote, which the company offered to save on rent and office overhead, many of us moved to locations more than 2 hours from the office. Then they realized that " too many" people took the remote option and they would mandate a return to the office to increase the headcount if someone from high up was visiting. However, there were not sufficient spaces and equipment to host everyone so productivity would sink. We would end up going home after a couple of hours and then had to catch up on work which was real time. Terrible decisions. They also scheduled a lot of meetings which were just check ins which took up valuable time with little return and then scolded us for lower productivity and keystrokes. I chose to retire a year before full social security benefits because it was such a circus. The people making these decisions have no idea what their people do.

11. Crystal HowellAugust 21,2022 at 11:35AM UTC

    It depends did you have a permanent wfh clause?

    Employers can change their minds,start looking for something closer to home.

12. AnonymousAugust 21,2022 at 1:22PM UTC

    Even though it wasn't sealed in your offer letter (hybrid) stall as long as u can while u search for another position. Use child care as an excuse (REALLY!) It's a big leap from having a family member watch ur children once a week to finding an open, suitable spot for one or multiple children! Hold the line until you find what u want or at least a valid hold over to get u to ur next real position. Also take this lesson and require more details in your next offer letter.

13. Tasha PattersonAugust 21,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

    I’m sorry this happened to you especially since had you known this, you would’ve just stayed at your previous job where you had years built in. I would’ve said this sounds like bait and switch, but it also seems that since COVID restrictions have lessened, companies are doing this. I actually learned from this thread that if I decide that I want to wfh or a company mentions wfh, I will get it in my offer letter.

14. GirlBossanova179183August 21,2022 at 2:42PM UTC

    Bait and switch

15. Audrey KirschAugust 21,2022 at 2:56PM UTC

    Unfortunately several studies have come out lately showing what has been lost by all employees working remotely and stress the difference of collaborating in person. My company is now requesting a 4 day in office week. Fortunately for me and many others there is no office in the state where I live so I remain 100% remote. I think companies should look at each position before deciding who would benefit from being in the office. Take your reasons and show how you will be more productive working from home to your bosses. They may agree with you and you can save yourself the hassle of looking for a new job.

16. KathrynAugust 21,2022 at 3:40PM UTC

    Check with Co-workers. If many of you have the same issue. I believe you can at least Ask to remain this way. Lots of workers are harder to brush off than just one

17. AnonymousAugust 21,2022 at 4:06PM UTC

    They can do this. It sounds like you were already not happy there, so if this is the final straw then it's definitely time to look to move somewhere that's a better fit. Good luck!

18. AnonymousAugust 21,2022 at 5:53PM UTC

    “They” can do anything they want. A lot of employers are of the opinion that teamwork is best done in person, and that teams need to bond face-to-face. They are not wrong. While a lot of people work well together remotely, something is often lost in the translation. In some cases, just getting your work done isn’t enough. I know a lot of people do not want to go back into the office at all. Honestly, I go in twice a week and would rather not at all, but I also know that there is a difference in me the days I’m in as opposed to the days I’m out. And it isn’t always a good difference.

    I will agree 2 hour commutes suck the life out of you, and absolutely start looking for something else, but be aware that even if the new position says remote, they may change their minds and are within their rights to do so.

19. Valerie RiegerAugust 22,2022 at 6:14PM UTC

    Yes, they can change the work location. A two hour commute would be hard "no" for me. Ask if they can honor the original commitment of one day per week in the office. If not, I would start looking for another position.

20. Liz MilneAugust 22,2022 at 11:08PM UTC

    Check your contract - if it specifies hybrid and at least one day a week, then they can't change that without your agreement, I believe.