Employer refusing to allow working from home

Savvy_Sue

And I suppose it's too much to hope that you're in a union?

unforeseen

A union would be able to do nothing as its the employer's choice. It is not the employee's decision on whether it is feasible or practical. 
If it was an H&S problem then they are the people to contact, not a union

AskAsk

seems odd to me that everyone seems to think it is their right to work from home now.

w00519773

AskAsk said:

seems odd to me that everyone seems to think it is their right to work from home now.

Everyone is worried about their health and the health of the people they live with.  I think the guidance is just guidance, so I can understand why some ask for clarification.  I can also sympathise with good businesses that are really struggling at the moment.  Just my opinion.

Brynsam

AskAsk said:

seems odd to me that everyone seems to think it is their right to work from home now.

Not really - a lot of people, quite reasonably, believe that it isn't so much 'their right' but a 'legal requirement'. If you look at the wording of the press release from Downing Street issued on 19 December, the words: 'Where people cannot work from home, they should still travel to work, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors' are highly likely to make people think they must stay at home if at all possible (and that's another government mantra!).

Dox

The abiding memory of 2020 is Boris Johnson intoning 'you must stay at home', so it's not a surprise that people think they have to work from home, even when many don't want to.

TELLIT01

The advice is to work from home where possible.  The employer clearly doesn't believe it is possible for all their staff to work from home and they have the final say.

bartelbe

I can't stand dinosaur employers like this. If they have employees who can work from home, why not let them? As long as the work is done, who cares where it is done?

Now my job can't be done from home but I don't resent those who have jobs that can be. In fact by working from home you helped me, my commute was far more relaxing without you all pointlessly getting in my way.

unforeseen

 As long as the work is done, who cares where it is done?

And that, in quite a few circumstances, is the crux of the matter. Employers are finding, in some circumstances, that work rates have dropped because people at home are getting sidetracked with domestic things. 

JamoLew

bartelbe said:

I can't stand dinosaur employers like this. If they have employees who can work from home, why not let them? As long as the work is done, who cares where it is done?

Now my job can't be done from home but I don't resent those who have jobs that can be. In fact by working from home you helped me, my commute was far more relaxing without you all pointlessly getting in my way.

Agree -- but all to often the work isn't getting done as effectively and productively. managers need to look very closely at their employees along with their productivity and efficacy

There is also the expense of ensuring that the employee has all the correct equipment to do their job at home.

Personally I can't stand employees that come across as entitled and just take the **** whenever and wherever they think they can get away with it -- some don't deserve the trust and "luxury" of WFH

Frankly - too many people are taking the proverbial - we had one person today who said they were unable to attend a meeting as they had to go and pick up a prescription -- erm NO, you wouldn't leave you workplace to do that - so don't think you can do it from home.
Others are using it as a substitute to organised child care so they can save a few £ -- but it's not on when you see/hear kids running amock in the background when on a video call to them

yes - managers should manage, but the employee should act professionaly and with integrity