So for context, I work for a small architecture firm and during Covid, our physical office was closed and everyone worked from home. At that time, I was an intern, so I was getting paid hourly and had the option to take unpaid time off as much as I want.
When everything started opening back up, we returned to our physical office. We did a hybrid style where we worked from home for 2 weeks and at the office for the next 2. Months later, we transitioned into working full time in the office again. This was around the time that I was now hired as a full time employee and during my interview – I was told that there’s a possibility for continued hybrid work and this was something I considered when I took the job offer as I was more productive having the option to wfh. We had the privilege to work from home whenever we felt like it or if we needed to (eg. having a cold but still able to work). All was perfect.
Fast forward months later to this week. It’s allergy season and Ive been feeling crummy from the start of this week. So I decided to work from home remotely on Monday and yesterday, Tuesday. I felt decent enough to get work done, I just didn’t wanna be coughing and sneezing in front of my co workers in a small office. I get an email from my boss’ wife (our office manager) that we need permission a week prior if we’re taking a sick day (kinda defeats the purpose of a sick day if you gotta ask permission a week before doesn’t it?). Confused as to why I got the email as I didn’t take a sick day but worked remotely instead, I emailed her to clarify. I get an email today saying that they no longer allow people to work from home and that she will be using my remaining PTO’s for those two days I wfh. She told me our boss will be talking to us about this in the coming weeks.
Ok. What the fuck? Number one, the option of working from home was a selling point when I took the job offer. Additionally, working remotely is stated as permissible in our company handbook. Two, how is it fair that you’ll be using my sick days for the days I worked from home, not being aware that we’re not allowed to do so anymore after being able to for the longest time? Third, I already worked during those days and clocked in my hours, so TECHNICALLY you can’t just replace those with sick days because that’s technically scamming me out of my work hours….
I loved working for this company but it’s been a shit show recently.
tldr; boss promised remote work option but suddenly takes it away and forcibly uses sick days to make up the days I worked from home.