Barclays Workers Demand More Money for Office Return
BBC News reports on a demand from Barclays staff for better concessions as the bank intends to increase office attendance.
Thousands of Barclays employees, represented by the Unite union, are pushing back against the bank's plan to have staff in the office for at least three days a week starting next month. This change is a shift from the current expectation of two days per week.
The union highlights several key requests:
- Exemptions for employees with longer commutes (over 40 minutes or 35 miles).
- Special considerations during holidays, including Christmas, summer breaks, and school holidays.
- Flexible options for carers, with a maximum of one day in the office.
- Support for parents with wrap-around childcare, including exploring childcare vouchers and onsite creches.
- A one-off payment to offset increased travel and childcare costs.
Barclays argues that having staff on-site promotes collaboration and learning, with many employees already working in the office for three or more days. They sent a memo in July outlining these expectations, including a four-day-a-week requirement for senior leaders.
However, the union counters that the bank is "trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist" by reducing flexibility. They note that staff are achieving strong financial results and improved customer services with the current working-from-home policy.
A Barclays spokesperson confirms that specific requirements vary by business area, with some teams, like investment bankers, needing to be in the office five days a week.
The move follows a trend among large organizations to recall employees to the office, with some, like Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan, implementing policies requiring head office staff to be present every day.
Recently, Ewan Venters, executive chair of fashion brand Paul Smith, expressed to the BBC that working from home doesn't work for young people and urged government neutrality in such decisions.