Barclays Staff Demand Compensation for Increased Office Attendance
The Unite union, representing 36,000 Barclays employees, is calling for a one-off payment to help cover rising travel and childcare costs as the bank increases its office attendanc
By BBC News
Thousands of Barclays employees are pushing back against the bank's new policy requiring staff to work from the office more frequently. Starting next month, employees who have been expected to work in the office for two days a week will now be required to be on-site for at least three days each week.
The Unite union, which represents around 36,000 Barclays staff, is urging the bank to reconsider this decision. The union is advocating for exemptions to the new policy and is requesting a one-off payment to help offset increased travel and childcare expenses.
Barclays has stated that many employees already work in the office for three or more days a week. The bank argues that in-person collaboration enhances teamwork and learning opportunities. Barclays acknowledged the importance of balancing flexibility for employees with the need for physical presence in the workplace.
In a memo sent to staff in July, Barclays outlined its expectations, which include senior leaders being in the office at least four days a week. However, the proposed changes have sparked significant backlash among employees, as reported by the Financial Times.
Rick Coyle, a national officer for Unite, mentioned that thousands of employees have signed an open letter demanding the reversal of the decision, with the number of signatories continuing to grow. Coyle criticized Barclays for attempting to address a non-existent issue by making its working-from-home policies less flexible.
The open letter highlights that employees have been achieving strong financial results and improved customer service under the current working-from-home arrangements. It also notes that many workers have submitted suggestions, which the union has compiled into a list of demands, including:
- Exemptions for employees with commutes longer than 40 minutes or 35 miles. - Exemptions during Christmas, summer, and school holidays. - A maximum of one day in the office for carers. - Flexibility for wrap-around childcare, along with exploring childcare vouchers and onsite creches. - A one-off payment to help offset costs.
A Barclays spokesperson stated that minimum in-office time requirements vary by business area, reflecting the nature of the work and business needs. The bank did not disclose how many staff would be impacted by the rule change, but it is understood that requirements differ by team, with some roles, such as investment bankers, expected to be in the office five days a week.
The shift towards increased office attendance follows a broader trend among companies post-pandemic, as many organisations are recalling employees to the office. While hybrid working models have been shown to benefit both workers and businesses, several large companies, including Amazon and JP Morgan, have implemented policies requiring staff to be in the office daily.