Hi all, much to my chagrin, we're being forced to be in-office 3 days a week starting 9-1. We bargained for 2, but somehow that was reneged by the powers to be. Our department management/leadership do not support this for our department especially since we live in a high COL (SF) and many live outside the city—a bit over 50%. Were also one of the main 4 income earning departments for an agency of nearly 50,000. Without praising my boss or management too much, they do not want this mandate and have continually been denied in their request to reduce this to at least 2 days a week which was originally agreed upon. Our department teams have excelled and beat out the worst of the pandemic with a skeleton crew. We have good employee-management relations in our office (department management, not org-wide management).
While they've largely been turning a blind eye, but not sure how much more leeway they will have if central HR steps in. Thankfully I have legitimate workplace accommodations through the end of the year for medical treatments which alleviates my in-office workplace requirements. Beyond this I'm trying to think of legitimate workplace accommodations beyond this. The only thing I've come up with is the fluorescent lighting causing me migraines which isn't untrue. However, not sure how much standing it'll have.
I'm a team of 1, have overhauled my entire program from the comforts of wherever the fuck I want to work whenever I want to work while still meeting all core office hour requirements. My program is budgeted for up to 3 people, but have spent 2.5 years borrowing staff from other divisions while also assisting other divisions. I like my boss but this mostly operates on a quid pro quo between coworkers. Unfortunately my program is highly specialized which is further frustrating because nobody else has the specific expertise. My say is final which leaves me under a lot of stress. I thrive in the flexibility of working from home.
Even though I've explained this to my direct management, they can't override central HR even though department management doesn't gaf. My boss does little check-ins like “oh hey haven't seen you in a couple months” so I'll drop by for a few hours and he'll check a box. Pretty chill this far. I actually come into the office as needed in addition to numerous work-site visits. The forced requirement is bollocks and I'm desperately trying to find an accommodations if anyone has recommendations. I just have a feeling that they'll be cracking down more after 9/1 :-/.