Aibu to think this is unfair?

[Carlie97]

In my organisation there are a small pool of staff who provide frontline client support and so ideally need to be in the office, although we all have the option to work from home one day a week. A while ago I negotiated two days wfh a week due to circumstances and these were granted.

It's hard work being one of the small pool, we're stretched and it's been decided that one of our pool no longer has to do the part of the role which means need to be in the office anymore. This leaves us even more stretched and when a member of the pool is on leave for whatever reason, it may possibly mean I can't wfh that week. This has a big effect on me.

I'm really upset with work for not thinking about us who are left and for my wfh to be having to be potentially cancelled.

Aibu?

If you requested WFH before this second person did then you'd hope you'd be more likely to get it. But you can't really complain that others also don't want to come into the office.

If I read correctly , you generally can still
WFH 2 days a week , but may have to reduce this if another member of the team is off on holiday or sick. But your circumstances have been acknowledged and an adjustment agreed?
I am going to hazard a guess that the team member who is no longer doing front line work has also had an adjustment agreed , though I don’t imagine you would know if that was the case.
i don’t think it’s inherently unfair , I think it’s the result of being a small team. But if it means you can no longer WFH on a regular basis, you need to talk to your manager.

I will talk to them. I can't afford to work from the office anymore than I currently am.

I think it depends on the reasons you both have adjustments.

The other person won't be wfh. They're won't be in this pool forever more.

The other person won't be wfh. They're won't be in this pool forever more.

I think it’s the reality of working in a very small team and that your employer is trying to to do their best to balance things out and be fair to everyone

Well, what does your contract say? If it says you work two days at home, then you work two days at home. They can’t just change it.

Respectfully though, everyone else makes it work?

That's why I negotiated wfh two days a week which was granted.

My colleague doesn't have an adjustment. They've just taken him off that particular duty because his role has changed.

I think you just have to stay firm and refuse to increase from the agreed 3 days in the office. If you give them slack once they will likely take advantage of it again.

Its your managers choice to remove the other employee from the task so they will have to work it out.

Did you make a formal Flexible Working Request? If so, they can’t just change it without consulting with you.

Yes but everyone else manages to come in. If I found out one of my colleagues had different privileges due to their budgetary constraints I’d be fuming!

Is this an informal arrangement? I.e does your contract say your place of work is the office full time?

If everyone else wfh 1 day a week and you get 2 do you think your colleagues might find this unfair?
What is the ‘big effect’ it has on you to work in the office?

Yes I did and it went to senior management to decide, who granted it.

Possibly but they're free to negotiate more wfh days too.

Are you a trade union member?

It's barely a privilege and they're also free to negotiate more wfh should they wish to.

How can you work 2 days from home if your provide front line client support and need to be in the office?

I am. Could they help if I'm forced to cancel my two days a week wfh?

I wouldn't mind but I'm really considerate with putting the wfh in my calendar in advance and I really pick up the slack when wfh. I do from the office too. I also have come in the office on the days I was supposed to be wfh in the past because no other frontline staff would've been in. I get tired of working so hard, being conscientious and then having to worry about everything all the time.

You used to though

I don't provide it everyday but soon will be required to cover some of the days if people are on leave.

Don’t agree to anything. Speak to your union rep.