Forced relocation?
Discussion
Not very sure how I should progress with situation at work so would appreciate some advice...
First a bit of background. My role has always involved travelling to other sites (including HQ) with me being based at the nearest site to my home. My role also means that most of the time I can carry out my duties remotely.
Last year due to buyout I now commute to a another site which is roughly 15 miles further each way compared to my previous site. I have no issues with this and have communicated that clearly.
There's been a major organisational reshuffle this year which resulted in an expectation of me being based in HQ permanently. It's been discussed unofficially with my direct line manager and the head of my department that I should consider relocating.
I've implied that I'm not inclined to do so due to various reasons, main reason being financial. I've asked about the possibility of a pay rise or some relocation aid but that was shrugged off. HQ is based in a big city and living costs will be considerably more.
My direct line manager and her whole team is currently based in HQ. For the foreseeable future all of this team would be based in HQ too. My contract hasn't changed and it still states that I'm site based.
Today the site where I'm based requested me to vacate my current office which is the main point of me starting this thread. I'm fine with that but I would require a new office to be based in within the site. I've approached my line manager about this but her reply so far is that she's got corner desk for me in HQ. She did say she'll try to find out what the outcome would be regarding my office at the local site but that doesn't sound too reassuring.
From my position the best I can offer is to negotiate that I go to HQ perhaps fortnightly and the rest either based in the local site or from home. Working from home unfortunately is a very thorny issue at the moment due do someone in the department abusing the rights.
What will you do in my position? I am looking for other jobs but so far I can't find any suitable ones.
First a bit of background. My role has always involved travelling to other sites (including HQ) with me being based at the nearest site to my home. My role also means that most of the time I can carry out my duties remotely.
Last year due to buyout I now commute to a another site which is roughly 15 miles further each way compared to my previous site. I have no issues with this and have communicated that clearly.
There's been a major organisational reshuffle this year which resulted in an expectation of me being based in HQ permanently. It's been discussed unofficially with my direct line manager and the head of my department that I should consider relocating.
I've implied that I'm not inclined to do so due to various reasons, main reason being financial. I've asked about the possibility of a pay rise or some relocation aid but that was shrugged off. HQ is based in a big city and living costs will be considerably more.
My direct line manager and her whole team is currently based in HQ. For the foreseeable future all of this team would be based in HQ too. My contract hasn't changed and it still states that I'm site based.
Today the site where I'm based requested me to vacate my current office which is the main point of me starting this thread. I'm fine with that but I would require a new office to be based in within the site. I've approached my line manager about this but her reply so far is that she's got corner desk for me in HQ. She did say she'll try to find out what the outcome would be regarding my office at the local site but that doesn't sound too reassuring.
From my position the best I can offer is to negotiate that I go to HQ perhaps fortnightly and the rest either based in the local site or from home. Working from home unfortunately is a very thorny issue at the moment due do someone in the department abusing the rights.
What will you do in my position? I am looking for other jobs but so far I can't find any suitable ones.
You say you have "implied" not wanting to move to HQ but they have explicitly said no to pay rise or relocation assistance.
Have you had a totally open discussion with your line manager? Much better to get everything totally out in the open so you can make a decision based on facts rather than inferring what people think.
Make it easy for them - give them options:
1) I will move to HQ provided I get £x p.a. extra to cover the increased mortgage/commute/whatever
2) I will work from home for no extra pay
3) I will stay where I am, just find me a desk, for no extra pay
That's basically what it comes down to and while it may force them to show their hand, it's better to find out now than to have an actual real forced relocation dropped on you - at the moment it is still a bit up in the air, so take the initiative. It certainly sounds like they are going to try and force you sooner rather than later so you don't have a huge amount to lose.
Have you had a totally open discussion with your line manager? Much better to get everything totally out in the open so you can make a decision based on facts rather than inferring what people think.
Make it easy for them - give them options:
1) I will move to HQ provided I get £x p.a. extra to cover the increased mortgage/commute/whatever
2) I will work from home for no extra pay
3) I will stay where I am, just find me a desk, for no extra pay
That's basically what it comes down to and while it may force them to show their hand, it's better to find out now than to have an actual real forced relocation dropped on you - at the moment it is still a bit up in the air, so take the initiative. It certainly sounds like they are going to try and force you sooner rather than later so you don't have a huge amount to lose.
I feel this image is appropriate.
https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/63635817.jpg
Basically, they are trying to push you towards just turning up at HQ without having to insist upon it, or have awkward discussions about relocation costs.
I, personally, would find an alternative location on site, even if it's a hotdesk. Until they actually discuss the relocation like grownups there's no reason for you to move, assuming your contract is quite clear on your work location. What an employer "expects" can be quite different from what your contract states.
I know that sounds a bit trade-uniony, but if they want to change the role, it's up to them to discuss it. Or offer a change in contract terms in a take-it-or-leave it basis. At least you would know where you stood then.
https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/63635817.jpg
Basically, they are trying to push you towards just turning up at HQ without having to insist upon it, or have awkward discussions about relocation costs.
I, personally, would find an alternative location on site, even if it's a hotdesk. Until they actually discuss the relocation like grownups there's no reason for you to move, assuming your contract is quite clear on your work location. What an employer "expects" can be quite different from what your contract states.
I know that sounds a bit trade-uniony, but if they want to change the role, it's up to them to discuss it. Or offer a change in contract terms in a take-it-or-leave it basis. At least you would know where you stood then.
I once worked for a German company, technically based out of Germany but worked remotely, paid tax in my local area (UK). The day I started we also had a new guy start for India, same setup - based out of Germany, working remotely in India. 6 months in, he wants to relocate to Singapore to be more central to his regional accounts. Company pays him €100k cash, 6 months rent on an apartment upfront and hires the removal men with boxes to take all his stuff from India out to Singapore. The guy left for a better offer after 3 months, didnt like it, went back to the old company after 3 months and got a pay rise
You wonder sometimes where you went wrong in life
You wonder sometimes where you went wrong in life
andy-xr said:
I once worked for a German company, technically based out of Germany but worked remotely, paid tax in my local area (UK). The day I started we also had a new guy start for India, same setup - based out of Germany, working remotely in India. 6 months in, he wants to relocate to Singapore to be more central to his regional accounts. Company pays him €100k cash, 6 months rent on an apartment upfront and hires the removal men with boxes to take all his stuff from India out to Singapore. The guy left for a better offer after 3 months, didnt like it, went back to the old company after 3 months and got a pay rise
You wonder sometimes where you went wrong in life
The best way to get pay rises is to leave and move.You wonder sometimes where you went wrong in life
Sorry for late reply... manic week.
HQ is about 150 miles from home and current local site is about 15 miles. Commuting is not an option for me as it takes almost 3 hours each way assuming traffic is not too bad.
Having an office is not important but I would like the security of knowing I still have a place to work in my local site. Perhaps I should've just said a desk instead of office
Nothing has been discussed formally so far, however there's been lots of informal hints dropped. I've also tried to negotiate informally but the feedback was not positive.
My contract states that the local site is my office and not HQ. In fact my contract never changed at all in last 2 years where there's been quite a lot of changes within the department which affected my role (change of bosses, change of site, new strategic direction which meant shift from being 70% site travel 30% office based to 95% office based and 5% site travel)
There's a loose verbal agreement between my line manager that I should go up HQ 2 times a week and she come down my local site 2 times a month on a rotational basis. Again this hasn't been strictly enforced which for now works fine with me.
@Flooble: Those were the points I have in my head too. I've thought about perhaps working from home and travel to HQ when required. I'm just waiting for something formal as so far as I've said the discussion was carried out in a very informal style.
@shtu: Really connected with your comments. There's also a worry that my role might be made redundant and they re-hire someone else based in HQ instead but that's not within my control... I'm planning to stick to my routine now as discussed. I can probably find a hotdesk somewhere in the current site but you won't believe the kind of politics that happen here sometimes.
@swerni: My in-laws just asked when will I be a powerfully built director
HQ is about 150 miles from home and current local site is about 15 miles. Commuting is not an option for me as it takes almost 3 hours each way assuming traffic is not too bad.
Having an office is not important but I would like the security of knowing I still have a place to work in my local site. Perhaps I should've just said a desk instead of office
Nothing has been discussed formally so far, however there's been lots of informal hints dropped. I've also tried to negotiate informally but the feedback was not positive.
My contract states that the local site is my office and not HQ. In fact my contract never changed at all in last 2 years where there's been quite a lot of changes within the department which affected my role (change of bosses, change of site, new strategic direction which meant shift from being 70% site travel 30% office based to 95% office based and 5% site travel)
There's a loose verbal agreement between my line manager that I should go up HQ 2 times a week and she come down my local site 2 times a month on a rotational basis. Again this hasn't been strictly enforced which for now works fine with me.
@Flooble: Those were the points I have in my head too. I've thought about perhaps working from home and travel to HQ when required. I'm just waiting for something formal as so far as I've said the discussion was carried out in a very informal style.
@shtu: Really connected with your comments. There's also a worry that my role might be made redundant and they re-hire someone else based in HQ instead but that's not within my control... I'm planning to stick to my routine now as discussed. I can probably find a hotdesk somewhere in the current site but you won't believe the kind of politics that happen here sometimes.
@swerni: My in-laws just asked when will I be a powerfully built director
Edited by crazy about cars on Thursday 21st April 13:44
crazy about cars said:
My contract states that the local site is my office and not HQ. In fact my contract never changed at all in last 2 years where there's been quite a lot of changes within the department which affected my role (change of bosses, change of site, new strategic direction which meant shift from being 70% site travel 30% office based to 95% office based and 5% site travel)
You need to be careful with this as if your contract is altered without your consent and you continue working in accordance with the new terms of your contract, without objecting, you will be seen to have accepted the changes.If your contract is altered without your consent and you are unhappy with the changes you can make it clear, in writing, that you are working under protest and explain your reasons.
You can fight it and may get a redundancy offer at the end but to me it looks like the writing is on the wall and I'd be looking for a new job.
OP - be careful as an accumulation of informal comments can build up and leave you vulnerable.
I'd suggest you start protecting yourself by keeping contemporaneous notes of what has been said and when. A handy little tool particularly if its something you don't like/agree with is to put it back in writing to your line manager stating that **whatever it is** is the position as you understand from today's conversation and perhaps if it it is any different perhaps she could let you know if it's any different. Handy for evidence should you need it.
Might it pay to make your own case for home based working with a set of objectives and targets. The case for 6 hours a day commuting is not viable and you could state your time is better off spent doing what you do than travelling. You are not the same person as the guy that's taking the pee and you could try to prove it to them.
I'd suggest you start protecting yourself by keeping contemporaneous notes of what has been said and when. A handy little tool particularly if its something you don't like/agree with is to put it back in writing to your line manager stating that **whatever it is** is the position as you understand from today's conversation and perhaps if it it is any different perhaps she could let you know if it's any different. Handy for evidence should you need it.
Might it pay to make your own case for home based working with a set of objectives and targets. The case for 6 hours a day commuting is not viable and you could state your time is better off spent doing what you do than travelling. You are not the same person as the guy that's taking the pee and you could try to prove it to them.
trickywoo said:
You need to be careful with this as if your contract is altered without your consent and you continue working in accordance with the new terms of your contract, without objecting, you will be seen to have accepted the changes.
If your contract is altered without your consent and you are unhappy with the changes you can make it clear, in writing, that you are working under protest and explain your reasons.
You can fight it and may get a redundancy offer at the end but to me it looks like the writing is on the wall and I'd be looking for a new job.
Interesting thought. I'll keep this in mind thanks.If your contract is altered without your consent and you are unhappy with the changes you can make it clear, in writing, that you are working under protest and explain your reasons.
You can fight it and may get a redundancy offer at the end but to me it looks like the writing is on the wall and I'd be looking for a new job.
Apologies, I should've been clearer and mentioned that I get to claim business miles commuting to the new "local site". I was previously based at a site <5 miles from home. My contract still states that my office is based at this old site. I was told around 6 months ago by new head of department to be based in current site and have been claiming miles since. I also get to claim expenses when travelling to HQ. I would think I'm not in a terribly bad position now?
So far every time this topic is brought up it always ends with something like "...but no pressure!" however next time it's brought up again I might try to steer it towards something more formal e.g "Does this mean you will be considering to base my role in HQ"
Edited by crazy about cars on Friday 22 April 19:13
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff