NatWest Hybrid Work Shift Draws Union Criticism
Unite has criticised NatWest’s plan to require staff to spend at least two days a week in the office from February. The union says the change will raise travel…
For NatWest employees who work remotely, the bank’s proposed shift could mean more trips to the office and higher household costs. The union attacks NatWest plans to change the arrangements for 30,000 workers, with staff expected to attend the office at least two days a week from February.
NatWest said the policy would create a more consistent approach across the bank. Unite, which represents workers, said the change would increase travel and childcare costs for many employees and disrupt care arrangements.
The bank said exceptions would be available for colleagues who require additional flexibility. It also said workers would have time to plan for the transition.
Unite says remote-first category will end
Unite said NatWest plans to abolish its “remote first” employment category. That arrangement allows 13,497 workers to attend the office around twice a month, according to the union.
The union also said 17,272 employees already classed as hybrid workers would have to increase their office attendance. It said many affected staff were in lower-paid grades, leaving them exposed to extra costs as a result of the policy.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the move as a “kick in the teeth” for workers. “Thousands of workers face higher travel and childcare costs and disruption to caring responsibilities,” she said.
Graham also accused NatWest of reneging on existing agreements and urged the bank to withdraw the proposals and engage with its employees. Unite called the plan “out of touch with the realities facing its workforce”.
Those concerns put the practical cost of the policy at the centre of the dispute. Employees who currently travel to the office only around twice a month could face a substantial change in their weekly routine, while carers and disabled workers may need flexibility to manage their responsibilities. The source does not specify how many workers would qualify for exceptions.
NatWest says office time supports collaboration
A NatWest spokesman said flexible working remained important, but that the bank had also seen value in colleagues spending time together. The spokesman said office attendance could help teams collaborate, share ideas, build relationships and learn from one another.
“That's why we're introducing a more consistent approach across the bank, with colleagues expected to spend at least two days a week in the office, depending on the needs of their role and business area,” the spokesman said.
The bank said it recognised the change would affect some colleagues and would support them during the transition. Its announcement sets out a minimum attendance expectation, while allowing the requirements to vary according to role and business area.
NatWest’s plan comes as firms continue to bring some staff back into offices after remote work became normal for some office employees during the Covid pandemic, the BBC reported. The report cited a recent backlash at Barclays, where staff objected to plans for three office days a week; the bank responded by introducing a longer transition period following staff and union complaints.
Other examples in the report included Amazon requiring staff to return five days a week after they had been working two days at home, and Boots and JP Morgan requiring head office staff to be in every day. NatWest says its two-day expectation remains competitive with the finance industry.
The bank’s new attendance requirement is due to begin in February.
Source: bbc.co.uk
