Can my employer make me return to the office?

During the Covid pandemic, most office workers were permitted to work remotely, and due to the longevity of this arrangement, it is something that employees became accustomed too. Employers have increasingly requested that employees return to the office, either completely or on a hybrid basis. If you have been asked to return to the workplace, you might be wondering what your working from home rights are, and if you can be forced back to the office.

The Benefits of Remote Working

There are many reasons why working in the office might no longer suit you. Work from home advantages include:

• Family life including childcare responsibilities
• Pet sitting - you may not have anyone to look after your pet during the day
• Office politics - you might feel anxious about being around people again and having to engage in office politics.
• Productivity - remote working might suit you better in terms of your output. Your remote work productivity might be higher than that of being in the office.
• Money - it might be more cost effective to work remotely, you may make work from home cost savings by not having to commute.

Why Do Employers Want You to Return to the Workplace?

A common thought for remote workers is, I have been doing it this way for years and it’s worked, so why do I need to return to the workplace? These are some reasons why your employer might want you back in the office. These include:

Collaboration - a common reason why employers want you to return to the office is the ability to communicate and collaborate together with your colleagues. With a hybrid working arrangement, you might not get a chance to spend time with some of your colleagues.

Productivity - your employer might have concerns over productivity. This might not concern you, but may be a more general feeling. They may find that with remote working vs office working, office working wins in the productivity stakes.

Training - the employer might feel that you are not receiving the same ability to learn new skills when you work from home.

Office spaces - employers may be tied into contracts for offices and want to make use of them.

If your employer has asked you to return to the office, these are some things you can do.

Check Your Employment Contract

The first step is to check your employment contract and in particular, your place of work clause. If your place of work is detailed on the contract as the office, then your employer is entitled to ask you to return. However, if it is states that your place of work is remote or hybrid, your employer would not be able to force you back to the office. There may be return to office contract terms.

Reach a Compromise With Your Employer

If you are being asked to return to the office and you are unable to do so, you may be able to reach a compromise with your employer. For instance, if they ask you to return five days a week, you might be able to reduce it to two or three as part of a hybrid working arrangement. Explain your reasons for looking to reduce the days and negotiate a return to office. For instance, if you can’t get childcare or you are feeling anxious about being back full time. Your employer might be open to reducing office days, as long as you are present at some point in the week.

Flexible Working Request

If your employer is unwilling to budge, you may decide to put in a formal flexible working request. In this, you can detail how you expect the arrangement to work and your employer would need to provide a business reason why this would not be possible. A flexible working request is usually a last resort if you cannot come to an informal agreement. You should understand your flexible working rights.

HR Support and Professional CV Services at Inspired CVs

At Inspired CVs, we offer expert HR support for your general employment and workplace queries, helping you understand your rights and options when returning to the office or navigating flexible working arrangements.

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