Key facts
- Barclays has delayed its return-to-office mandate for UK staff.
- Some employees can delay the requirement to be in the office at least three days a week until 2027.
- Staff must request and receive manager permission to delay compliance by the end of the week.
- Thousands of staff signed an open letter drafted by the Unite union.
- The bank is also reviewing its flexible working policy.
- Barclays and Unite will continue discussions on the issue.
Barclays has softened its return-to-office plans for its UK workforce following significant opposition from employees. The bank announced that some staff will be allowed to delay the requirement of being in the office at least three days a week until 2027, provided they obtain permission from their line manager by the end of this week. This decision comes after thousands of employees signed an open letter, drafted by the Unite union, which also called for travel cost payouts and exemptions for those living far from work.
Initially, Barclays had planned for the new attendance requirement to take effect on October 5, increasing the mandatory in-office days from two to at least three per week for its 45,000 UK staff, with more senior employees expected to be in for four days. The bank's executive committee stated in a memo that the implementation period is being extended to ensure colleagues have adequate support during the transition and that its flexible working policy is under review.
The extension, first reported by the Financial Times, could provide the Unite union with more leverage to negotiate further concessions. Both Barclays and Unite have indicated that discussions will continue on the matter, which has become a contentious issue across the banking sector. Other banks, including JP Morgan and Revolut, have also tightened remote working policies post-pandemic, citing concerns about training and collaboration.