NatWest has ordered a group of 13,000 employees to increase their office attendance from two days a month to two days a week, prompting a sharp reaction from the union. From February 2027, the bank will require all its nearly 40,000 UK-based staff to follow a strict schedule of two days a week in the office, ending remote work policies for thousands of employees.
The union Unite called the change a "kick in the teeth" for the 13,000 staff who had previously come into the office only two days a month. These are some of the lowest-paid workers at NatWest, including staff in technology, security, data analytics and human resources. The union claims the change will further financially strain employees already struggling with the rising cost of living, and will undermine flexible arrangements for those with caring responsibilities or disabilities. Many employees, Unite adds, have organised their lives around flexible agreements that were expanded during the pandemic.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated: "This is another kick in the teeth for workers who have suffered real pay cuts for years and are struggling to make ends meet." She added: "NatWest's decision is completely out of touch with the reality faced by its workforce." Graham highlighted that thousands of employees will face higher travel and childcare costs. "For NatWest to impose these changes while breaking existing agreements shows a complete disregard for its workforce. NatWest must scrap these proposals and properly engage with its workers," she said.
The bank justified its policy by the need to "help teams collaborate". It also noted that other banks, from JP Morgan to Revolut, have increased pressure on remote work, claiming it harms the training of younger employees. Last month, Barclays was forced to delay its return-to-office plans following a staff reaction supported by Unite. Barclays had ordered staff to come in at least three days a week from the start of October, an increase from two days a week, but ultimately softened its stance and allowed some employees to defer the requirement until next year.
Some NatWest employees, including traders, branch staff and client relations, are already required to be in the office four days a week. Others, such as communications, administrative and analytical staff, work a hybrid schedule with six visits a month. NatWest operates under the brands Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank and Coutts. A bank spokesperson stated: "Flexible working remains an important part of how we work, but we have also learned more about the value that spending time together brings to our colleagues and clients – it helps teams collaborate, share ideas, build relationships and learn from each other." He added: "We are aware that this will be a change for some colleagues and we are giving them time to prepare and will support them through the transition."
