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Barclays is facing a mounting backlash against its return-to-office plans, after thousands of staff backed a call to exempt those living more than 40 minutes from their workplace and offer a one-off payment to offset the costs of coming in more.
The bank has told affected workers they must be in the office at least three days a week from next month, with senior leaders expected to come in on at least four days.
The current policy is for thousands of full-time workers to be in the office two days a week, according to a memo sent by Unite, the union that represents almost 80 per cent of Barclays’ 45,000 UK staff.
Unite is calling for the plans to be halted and encouraging staff to add their signatures to an open letter to maintain pressure on the bank.
“Thousands of employees have signed the letter and the figure continues to rise,” said Rick Coyle, a national officer at the union. “Unite will be speaking to Barclays about the strength of feeling in the days ahead.”
Barclays is the latest global bank to face resistance to efforts to curb remote working practices that were widely adopted during the pandemic.
Unite is also seeking greater flexibility for staff with caring responsibilities and those who want to commute at cheaper off-peak times.
The union said the lender’s proposals would create “substantial challenges for many employees” and accused Barclays of failing to provide an “evidence-based rationale” for its return-to-office plans.
It added that 94 per cent of respondents to its latest survey had said they wanted the changes delayed until consultations with Unite had concluded.
The union wants the bank to make a one-off “time-in-office payment” to all staff before March next year.
It is also seeking exemptions where employees’ commutes exceed 40 minutes or 35 miles each way.
“Our members think that Barclays is trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist,” Coyle said.
Barclays is continuing to engage with the union on its return-to-office changes but has so far not agreed to its demands.
“We recognise the benefits of balancing flexibility for colleagues with the importance of working together in our physical locations. Our minimum time in office requirements vary by business area, reflecting the nature of the work and the needs of the business,” the bank said.
“This means that most of our colleagues who are not already working in the office three days [a week] will align with our broader approach across the bank. Alongside this, our most senior leaders will spend an additional day in the office to support collaboration, decision-making and leadership visibility.”
