Can I be forced to work from home after lockdown?

ILoveSittingDown

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

General_Grant

ILoveSittingDown said:

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

It's only a rumour.

If it were true, the job you do would still be required it seems but it's just a change of location.  So that's not really a redundant job.  They could also argue that your doing the same job but WFH would be a suitable alternative to being dismissed on the grounds of redundancy.

Comms69

ILoveSittingDown said:

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

No, you would simply be dismissed. 

Undervalued

Comms69 said:

ILoveSittingDown said:

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

No, you would simply be dismissed. 

Almost certainly!

OP, particularly when times are hard employment tribunals have ruled that substantial forced commutes to a different office, perhaps even an hour and a half each way, are acceptable and do not create a redundancy situation. So it is hard to imagine a tribunal looking sympathetically on any claim as a result of being forced to work from home.

TELLIT01

Working from home long term is simply not practical for many people.  A laptop on the dining table is OK short term but very disruptive to normal life.  My sister-in-law has her stepson living with them and the only place he can work is the table in a through room, the only living accommodation in the house.  He has to be on the phone a lot which means for much of the day she can't have the TV or radio on - in her own house.

Comms69

TELLIT01 said:

Working from home long term is simply not practical for many people.  A laptop on the dining table is OK short term but very disruptive to normal life.  My sister-in-law has her stepson living with them and the only place he can work is the table in a through room, the only living accommodation in the house.  He has to be on the phone a lot which means for much of the day she can't have the TV or radio on - in her own house.

Sounds like step-son needs a new job, or a new place to live

ILoveSittingDown

Thanks all. I must say I am surprised by the responses that they could simply dismiss us. Is there a required notice period?

Yes it is just a rumour, but I've heard from a very reliable source that the decision has been made and comms is imminent. It's a shame if it were to end like this as I enjoy working for the company, they have been good to me over the years and in return I have been a loyal and hard worker and delivered value to the company. I think I would give it a go at least, but I don't think it would be for me and I'd have to start looking around.

Comms69

ILoveSittingDown said:

Thanks all. I must say I am surprised by the responses that they could simply dismiss us. Is there a required notice period?

Yes it is just a rumour, but I've heard from a very reliable source that the decision has been made and comms is imminent. It's a shame if it were to end like this as I enjoy working for the company, they have been good to me over the years and in return I have been a loyal and hard worker and delivered value to the company. I think I would give it a go at least, but I don't think it would be for me and I'd have to start looking around.

Whatever your contract states, would be the notice period.

ILoveSittingDown

General_Grant said:

ILoveSittingDown said:

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

It's only a rumour.

If it were true, the job you do would still be required it seems but it's just a change of location.  So that's not really a redundant job.  They could also argue that your doing the same job but WFH would be a suitable alternative to being dismissed on the grounds of redundancy.

Slightly confused by this as our department was originally based in London but moved to our current location a few years back. Those who didn't want to move were offered full redundancy pay not dismissed

Marvel1

TELLIT01 said:

Working from home long term is simply not practical for many people.  A laptop on the dining table is OK short term but very disruptive to normal life.  My sister-in-law has her stepson living with them and the only place he can work is the table in a through room, the only living accommodation in the house.  He has to be on the phone a lot which means for much of the day she can't have the TV or radio on - in her own house.

I don't have a dining table, my laptop is on coffee table, my posture is bad.

Comms69

ILoveSittingDown said:

General_Grant said:

ILoveSittingDown said:

I am hearing strong rumours at work that our office, which is currently closed due to COVID19, will not re-open after lockdown and that we will be required to work-from-home indefinitely. Are they able to do this? My contract of employment clearly states that I am based in the relevant office. 

I am currently living in temporary rental accommodation due to a fire at home and this accomodation has space for an office but when I return home, our house is not big enough for an office so my wife and I will both have to work from the dining table. It wouldn't be the end of the world but if given the choice I would choose to work in the office. Would they have to offer redundancy for anyone who did not want to WFH?

It's only a rumour.

If it were true, the job you do would still be required it seems but it's just a change of location.  So that's not really a redundant job.  They could also argue that your doing the same job but WFH would be a suitable alternative to being dismissed on the grounds of redundancy.

Slightly confused by this as our department was originally based in London but moved to our current location a few years back. Those who didn't want to move were offered full redundancy pay not dismissed

That's a business decision. It's not required by law.

(like it's a business decision to pay more than NMW)