Barclays Employees Seek Extra Pay Over Return-to-Office Rules

Barclays employees in the UK are pushing back against the bank’s plan to increase office attendance, with the union Unite seeking additional payments to cover commuting costs and exemptions for employees with longer journeys.

Advertisement

The bank plans to require affected employees to work from the office at least three days a week from October, compared with the two-day requirement currently applying to many full-time employees.

Senior leaders are expected to spend at least four days a week in the office. Barclays has said requirements can vary by business area depending on the nature of the work and operational needs.

Union Seeks Payment and Exemptions

Unite, which represents about 80% of Barclays’ 45,000 UK employees, has organised an open letter opposing the changes. The union says thousands of employees have signed the letter and is seeking discussions with the bank before the new requirements take effect.

Advertisement

Also Read: HCL Technologies launches a new business unit ‘HCLTech Pulse’

The union is asking Barclays to delay the changes while consultations continue. Its demands include:

• A one-off payment to help employees meet additional commuting costs.
• Exemptions for employees whose commute exceeds 40 minutes or 35 miles each way.
• Greater flexibility for employees with caring responsibilities.
• Flexibility around off-peak travel and related arrangements.

According to Unite, 94% of respondents to its latest employee survey wanted the changes delayed until discussions with the union had concluded. This figure refers to respondents to the union’s survey and does not represent all Barclays employees.

Barclays Defends Office Attendance Policy

Advertisement

Barclays said it continues to engage with Unite and that its minimum office attendance requirements vary across business areas, depending on the nature of the work and business needs.

The bank has said many employees already work from the office three or more days a week. It also plans for its most senior leaders to spend an additional day in the office.

The dispute reflects the wider debate among financial services employers over hybrid working, as companies continue to review office attendance expectations introduced or expanded after the pandemic.