So your boss has asked you to return to the office and you want to learn more about your options.
You’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re looking to continue working remotely, willing to consider hybrid working or looking for advice on adjusting to returning to the office full-time, here’s everything you need to know about your options.
Start by Considering the Benefits of Office-Based Working
Before making any big decisions, first consider what the benefits of office based-working could be for you, your mental and physical health and your progression opportunities.
These might include…
Improving your work-life balance – Working from home can blur the lines between your personal life and work life and make it difficult to switch off in the evenings. By working from the office, you’re more likely to be able leave your work behind when you log off.
Building stronger work relationships and connections – Seeing the people you work with every day in person often fosters a real sense of friendship and connection. Not to mention, you’ll have a better opportunity to network with upper management and get your name out there.
Feeling more of a sense of purpose – Remote working can feel lonely for some. Office-based working can give you more of a sense of purpose and belonging.
If You Decide You Don’t Want to Return…
If you decide office-based working isn’t for you, here are a few options you can consider.
What Does Your Contract Say?
If in doubt, check your contract.
Your contract should specify your usual place of work—whether that’s the office or a remote location of your choosing—as well as whether you’re entitled to hybrid or flexible working.
If it does specify the office as your usual full-time place of work, unfortunately, your employer is entitled to call you back.
But if you have a flexible working agreement in place, your employer can’t make any changes without your consent. This means you’re entitled to work according to your flexible working policy.
Check Your Flexible Working Policy
If your employer has a flexible working policy, they might allow you to work a certain number of days from the office and the rest remotely.
“Set up an official schedule for your office and home working days.”
It’s worth having an open conversation with your HR or management teams to chat about your preference for flexible working and to set up an official schedule for your office and home working days.
They might even allow you to work from home full time—you won’t know unless you have that conversation and ask.
Make a Flexible Working Request
If your employer doesn’t have a flexible working policy already in place, you have a legal right to make a flexible working request to change your work location for some or all of your hours.
This is called “making a statutory application”, and you must have been employed by the same employer for 26 weeks (approximately six months) to be eligible.
Here’s how the process works:
- You make a written request to your employer
- Your employer fairly considers your request and makes their decision within three months
- If they agree to your request, they update the terms and conditions in your contract to reflect your new agreement
- If they refuse, they need to write to you to explain the business reasons. If you feel they didn’t handle your case in a “reasonable manner”, you can make a claim to the employment tribunal.
Learn more about applying for flexible working via the Gov site here.
Request Reasonable Adjustments if You Have a Disability
If you have a disability and going back to the office would substantially disadvantage you or make your work more difficult, you can legally ask for reasonable adjustments.
This includes requesting hybrid working, flexible hours, remote working or part-time working, and applies to all workers—whether you’re a trainee, apprentice, contract worker or business partner.
But to qualify, you need to prove that going back to the office puts you at a “substantial” disadvantage and that your employer already knows about (or could reasonably be expected to know about) your disability.
To make your request, write to your employer explaining your situation, their legal obligations and the adjustments you’re requesting.
Learn more about making a reasonable adjustments request via the Citizens Advice website here.
Consider Looking for a New Role
If your workplace is unable or unwilling to accommodate your preference for remote or hybrid working, it might be worth looking for a new employer that can offer you better flexibility.
In fact, this isn’t all too uncommon. More than a third of workers say they’d quit their job if their employer demanded they return to the office full-time, so it isn’t something you should feel guilty or uneasy about considering.
Search the latest openings here.
If You Decide To Return to the Office…
If you do decide that returning to the office—whether on a full-time or hybrid basis—is the right move for you, here are a few tips to help you adjust to your new working environment.
Get into your routine ahead of time – It can be difficult to adjust to waking up that little bit earlier every day. So, it’s a good idea to adjust your sleep schedule ahead of time to give yourself plenty of time to adjust.
Take things day by day – Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to immediately adjust to working in the office again. It will likely take time to settle in fully. Take each day as it comes and go easy on yourself.
Bring some home comforts into work – If you’re going to miss working in your own space, it’s worth bringing in some home comforts to personalise your working area, like a cosy blanket, your favourite mug or a house plant to liven up your space.
Invest in noise-cancelling headphones – if noise is a big distraction for you while you’re working, it’s worth investing in some high-quality noise-cancelling headphones. Your employer might agree to cover the cost, so it’s worth having a chat with them about this.
Consider Your Options
Now that you know what your options are if you’ve been asked to return to work, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on what works best for you.
For further expert career advice and guidance, see our blog here.
Images via AdobeStock and Pixabay
