I was planning on moving. I informed my job since I had been working from home for over two years with no performance issues, I would like to be considered for a permanent wfh option as I wanted to stay with them.
I was flat out told no. There's no option, we're all returning to office in August, so you either come back to office (there wasn't one near the city I was moving to) or we will consider it voluntary termination (I quit -even though I made it clear I was willing and capable of continuing employment.) Keep in mind – my role was over the phone, there's absolutely no need for my team to return. It was simply a power trip.
I left them a scathing exit review, things like incompetence and inability to adapt or innovate littered throughout. When it came to the “what would have made you stay?” I simply answered “pay better and offer wfh permanently”.
Within two weeks I had found the same position with a different bank, that pays better and is offering permanent hybrid/wfh options. They are much more flexible, laid back, and caring. I honestly didn't realize that it was possible for a company to actually care about their employees' wellbeing until I got hired here.
I guess the moral of my story is, if you have a definite “deal breaker” like wfh was for me, don't be afraid to quit over it. After three years of loyalty and working my ass off they didn't give a shit about trying to retain me. Now I get paid better for a company I actually like – and I get the permanent wfh I wanted in the first place.
Quit your jobs people. Move around. And don't negotiate on things that aren't negotiable for you. We – the workers deserve more than we've been given.