Should You Negotiate With Your Employer If They Require You To Start Working In The Office Again?

More and more companies that have added remote work to their hiring process are considering transforming the remote role into a full-time job office-based position. Indeed, approximately one-third of employers expect staff to return to the office on a full-time basis. If your remote job suddenly becomes office-based or hybrid, should you negotiate with your employer to allow you to stay home? What sort of factors do you have to consider? Read on for answers to these questions and more!

How do you know you should negotiate with your employer?

If you’re happy with your current position but are required to start working in the office, it may be worth it to negotiate some form of flexibility that ensures you can maintain your lifestyle and routine. 

Signs that negotiation is possible: 

• The request to move into the office is not an ultimatum. 
• The employer has mentioned there is room for discussion. 
• It is a change to your current work contract. 
• It affects your work-life balance. 

How do you talk to your manager about what you need?

The first thing to do is figure out what you need to guarantee the best possible outcome for the business. In a recent article, Harvard Business makes it clear that many employers still fail to see the benefits of remote work. So, approach your company with a clear breakdown of what you can achieve at home for them, compared to what you can do in the office. Make it all about them and how a home-based setup maximises your impact. 

What might your employer offer you as an alternative?

If your employer requires that office presence again, there may be room to negotiate exactly what this presence entails:

• Hybrid work arrangement where you work only a few days a week in the office. This solution includes a lot of travelling but can be beneficial for networking and growing your reputation. 
• Flexible on-site working arrangement, such as working the same amount of hours but only 4 days a week or having flexible start and leave times. 

When negotiation doesn’t work

It can be stressful when you’ve been hired in a remote position, and the role unexpectedly requires office presence. But your employer is adamant that any form of remote work is now off the table. So what are your options when you are not able to negotiate new arrangements that suit your lifestyle and work-life balance?

There are essentially two options. Firstly, if you want to carry on working for the same company, you can ask your employer to arrange for a relocation package, including paid professional removals and support to find new accommodation in the vicinity of the office. This can help reduce the hassle of moving homes. 

The second option is to take your professional skills elsewhere. Just because your employer wants you back in the office doesn’t mean other employers will behave the same way. Nowadays, businesses that maintain remote roles are more likely to attract new talent. So, it’s time to spruce up y our LinkedIn profile and send your CV out! 

In conclusion, while there is often room for discussion if your employer requires office presence, you may not achieve the expected outcome. Depending on your situation, you could consider suitable alternatives that suit your lifestyle. But in the end, remember that quitting for a new remote job is also a valid option to increase both your income and work-life balance.