Barclays softens return-to-office plans for UK staff after backlash

Barclays has watered down its return-to-office plans after a major staff backlash, with the bank allowing some employees to wait until next year before having to be in at least three days a week.The bank this summer announced the attendance requirement would come in for its 45,000 UK staff from 5 October, with more senior employees expected to come in for at least four days. That compares with current rules requiring staff to come in for two.Now Barclays has offered a reprieve after thousands of bank staff signed an open letter drafted by the Unite union, calling for payouts to help cover travel costs and an exemption for those living more than 40 minutes from work.The bank will allow staff to delay complying with the order until 2027. However, they will need to ask and receive permission to do so from their line manager by the end of this week.In a memo emailed to staff, Barclays’ executive committee announced: “We are extending the implementation period for UK colleagues to ensure colleagues have the right support as we move through the transition … We are also reviewing our flexible working policy.”The extension, first reported by the Financial Times, could give unions more time to request further concessions. Barclays and Unite said they would continue discussions on the issue, which has become a flashpoint across the banking sector.Banks ranging from JP Morgan to Revolut have clamped down on remote working after the Covid pandemic, arguing it harmed the training of younger staff.Unite have said that while they recognise face-to-face working can support collaboration, team development and relationship building: “We do not accept that this requires a blanket, one-size-fits-all increase in mandatory office attendance.”The union has requested a series of concessions, including: automatic exemptions of in-office attendance rules during school holidays and Christmas; capping in-office requirements at one day a week for any carers or people with disabilities; flexible start and finish times to allow for cheaper off-peak travel costs and to accommodate school pickup and drop-offs; subsidised onsite meal costs; and a single, consolidated payment made to all staff to make up for the costs of coming into the office, before March 2027. skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionA spokesperson said: “Unite is continuing to engage with Barclays on its proposals relating to colleagues’ working arrangements.”In an emailed statement, a Barclays spokesperson said: “Our updated onsite working arrangements will take effect as planned.“We have continued to listen to colleague feedback to ensure colleagues have the right support while enabling us to deliver the benefits of working together in person. This includes transitional measures for those whose personal circumstances currently prevent them from meeting the new arrangements.”