Boss not letting me work from home

duk3nuk3m

I currently have a disagreement with my boss at work. The company I work for is classed as "essential" where some of my colleagues are able to work from home and some are not due to their job roles. During the lockdown earlier this year, I proved that I was able to work from home effectively. Since the 2nd lockdown was announced, my boss is now insisting that I come into the office on a certain number of days and work from home on the other days. Is there anything I can do, as I feel as though my boss is completely disregarding the current guidelines?

lincroft1710

As there is now only 3 weeks left of lockdown, is this really worth arguing about? Your boss must have a reason for wanting you in the office for part of the week. 

74jax

duk3nuk3m said:

I currently have a disagreement with my boss at work. The company I work for is classed as "essential" where some of my colleagues are able to work from home and some are not due to their job roles. During the lockdown earlier this year, I proved that I was able to work from home effectively. Since the 2nd lockdown was announced, my boss is now insisting that I come into the office on a certain number of days and work from home on the other days. Is there anything I can do, as I feel as though my boss is completely disregarding the current guidelines?

As mentioned by Lincroft1710, I think as there's so little time left, you might as well go in.  Especially if some are at home then less in the office anyway.

Savvy_Sue

If you could calmly ask him for his reasons for requiring you in the office, it might be helpful.

I'm part of a team where we try to have 3 of us in each day: we can do most of our jobs from home, but we can't easily respond to requests and troubleshooting from our colleagues who have to be there at least part of the time. We found when there was just one of us in, we got nothing done because there were so many interruptions. Two of us is slightly better, but only marginally. Three of us works quite well, with the other two on the end of a phone / email / Zoom as required. You might say it's nothing like that, but it may be that your colleagues feel additional pressure which you can help relieve if you are there. 

Hasbeen

OP depends how long you have worked there.

Over two years you can "disagree" about it.

Under two years you might find yourself spending more time at home.

Ultimately it is your bosses decision who does what.

AskAsk

as far as i am aware, employers have the right to ask employees to come into the office if they think their work can not be carried out at home.  so i think you will have to go in if they ask you to.

ToxicWomble

Working environments and patterns are probably very different now than back in March.
What wasn’t safe then may have changed and be classed as safe.
More Info needed really before deciding on whether what the employer is asking is reasonable or not.
There is no law or automatic right that says you MUST work from home or if you did last time, that you can now

Barny1979

It's only guidance and if your boss wants you in and the office is covid secure, then tough, unless you have extenuating medical circumstances

ToxicWomble

The 2 vocal camps seem to be

1) those who try and find every little loophole to do what they want to do

2) those who want to follow every little dot and i to do what they want to

Fortunately/hopefully there is a silent majority who just quietly get on with being sensible 

Barny1979

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6210583/employer-doesnt-want-me-to-work-from-home#latest

Marvel1

Go in the office and be grateful you have a job.