Failing to comply with order to return to office

[Anonymous]

How long did it take for this to come to a head? My office has been ordered back 3 days a week as of Jan 2nd. For many reasons, I’m simply not able to comply fully, but I don’t want to quit. I’ve been in once for a couple hours. Two of my coworkers have resigned because of this.

I guess I’m just wondering how this has played out for others. I know my office likes and values my work and I would be hard to replace. But also-everyone is always replaceable and I’m realistic about that.

I’m looking for another job and am confident I can get one, but I really don’t want to leave.

Can anyone else share how this has played out for them?

[Anonymous]

You would have been required to submit leave for every scheduled day you did not come in. After that, you’d be fired.

[Anonymous]

If you can no longer meet the requirements of the job you need to resign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You would have been required to submit leave for every scheduled day you did not come in. After that, you’d be fired.

Op here. Our set up is more informal. We’re just told to come in 3 days a week, but can pick the days and don’t have to tell anyone what days they will be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can no longer meet the requirements of the job you need to resign.

Op here. As explained in my OP, I’m not going to resign or come in. That’s the point. They can discipline me or fire me. I’m curious how long that’s going to take to play out.

[Anonymous]

Since March we've been "required" to be in two days a week. I rarely do that but usually make it in once a week, though I've gone several weeks/up to a month without going in. No one has ever said anything to me, so I guess we'll see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since March we've been "required" to be in two days a week. I rarely do that but usually make it in once a week, though I've gone several weeks/up to a month without going in. No one has ever said anything to me, so I guess we'll see.

Op here. Thank you! This is encouraging and similar to my plans. I come in as needed, but it will be more like 1-3 times a week and not full days. I’m on a team of 12, 2 have resigned and I know of one other coworker who is approaching this the same way that I am.

[Anonymous]

So you are just straight up ignoring a directive to come back to the office? I don’t think anyone can tell you how it’s going to play out in your case. In my case (federal contractor) I probably would have been disciplined the first week I didn’t come in three days as directed if I had not made accommodations in advance. That’s just obnoxious and defiant not to address it at all.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that it will catch up to you when they’ve decided to can you for other reasons, and can cite failure to comply with the policy as an easy reason for termination.

Another possibility would be that someone is looking for you in the office but you’re never there. Less likely since you don’t have set days so no one would know to expect you there or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can no longer meet the requirements of the job you need to resign.

Strongly disagree with this. Every company is different. Even a few more months at the company are a few more months of the job being on your resume. I think it really depends on your manager and what others are doing.

Don’t take advice to flat out quit your job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are just straight up ignoring a directive to come back to the office? I don’t think anyone can tell you how it’s going to play out in your case. In my case (federal contractor) I probably would have been disciplined the first week I didn’t come in three days as directed if I had not made accommodations in advance. That’s just obnoxious and defiant not to address it at all.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would also be strategic to be sure to show your face in the office on days your boss is there, or do your check ins in person.

[Anonymous]

I am sure it is hard and you have your reasons ( did you move too far away, at-risk relative) but the problem is that employees see this as a personal decision and employers see this as a business decision. If the directive is 3 days in office, it has to be ( or should be) fairly enforced.

I don’t know how long your employer will let it go but likely once they acknowledge you are not in compliance you will be given time to correct- maybe 6-8 weeks. So if you are looking now, you hopefully will have an offer by then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can no longer meet the requirements of the job you need to resign.

Op here. As explained in my OP, I’m not going to resign or come in. That’s the point. They can discipline me or fire me. I’m curious how long that’s going to take to play out.

Why?

[Anonymous]

This is a very immature and passive-aggressive (and entitled) decision on your part. I hope they do fire you. Who the hell do you think you are?