I’m going to have to find another job, right?

[Anonymous]

I started a new job in May at a public university. In the job announcement, the job was listed as hybrid. My new boss made it clear that he didn’t care if I ever worked in the office other than an in person meeting on occasion. He is remote himself. My job is listed as remote under my employee profile. I live over 60 miles away from the job site. My plan was to go in person one day a week, possibly two.

Now, the higher up boss appears to be requiring more days in the office because she requisitioned extra office space. I’ve heard this from other employees but no one has said anything to me about it.

I was just asked when I plan to be in the office and I responded with Mondays. They said we could discuss it later.

I probably should start looking for another position, right? I have no problem being in the office but 60+ miles away takes too long and is too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a new job in May at a public university. In the job announcement, the job was listed as hybrid. My new boss made it clear that he didn’t care if I ever worked in the office other than an in person meeting on occasion. He is remote himself. My job is listed as remote under my employee profile. I live over 60 miles away from the job site. My plan was to go in person one day a week, possibly two.

Now, the higher up boss appears to be requiring more days in the office because she requisitioned extra office space. I’ve heard this from other employees but no one has said anything to me about it.

I was just asked when I plan to be in the office and I responded with Mondays. They said we could discuss it later.

I probably should start looking for another position, right? I have no problem being in the office but 60+ miles away takes too long and is too expensive.

In private industry, you're screwed. It's a public university. If you're union, start the grievance process, if you aren't union, start the HR process. If it's in your job description, and they operate like the rest of government, it's going to be a royal pain for them to change it

[Anonymous]

You can start looking but...nobody's told you Mondays isn't enough, right? Keep on with it until you're told otherwise. It is not easy to find fully remote jobs right now.

Disagree with the PP above saying go to the union and HR. You were hired hybrid. It's within management's rights to ask you to come to the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can start looking but...nobody's told you Mondays isn't enough, right? Keep on with it until you're told otherwise. It is not easy to find fully remote jobs right now.

Disagree with the PP above saying go to the union and HR. You were hired hybrid. It's within management's rights to ask you to come to the office.

It's a government job and their current position description is remote. Even if it where hybrid, hybrid would have a definition. Management's has much less discretion than in the private sector

[Anonymous]

Did you ever do an official written agreement? The Fed. Govt. requires them for everyone. Whether or not your actual manager makes you adhere to it varies. Proper documentation may be part of the justification for more offices and management is trying to get it all sorted out. Try to not be anxious.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I didn’t do an official written agreement. I think I was dumb to go by my manager’s assurances. However, I am classified in the system as remote because the division between hybrid and remote is 60 miles.

I have no problem going into the office on a regular schedule but the number of times per week is crucial. Once is doable, twice…maybe. But three times? No way.

If I get a job closer to home, I’m fine with in office.

If I do have start the job search again, would I leave this job off my resume? It’s on LinkedIn, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would not assume there is a problem for you given your classification in the system. I'd always keep somewhat of an active job hunt going but you may be fine there with once a week. Do you have a union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a new job in May at a public university. In the job announcement, the job was listed as hybrid. My new boss made it clear that he didn’t care if I ever worked in the office other than an in person meeting on occasion. He is remote himself. My job is listed as remote under my employee profile. I live over 60 miles away from the job site. My plan was to go in person one day a week, possibly two.

Now, the higher up boss appears to be requiring more days in the office because she requisitioned extra office space. I’ve heard this from other employees but no one has said anything to me about it.

I was just asked when I plan to be in the office and I responded with Mondays. They said we could discuss it later.

I probably should start looking for another position, right? I have no problem being in the office but 60+ miles away takes too long and is too expensive.

OP, you are anticipating that this will impact you when it may not. Have you spoken with YOUR boss about it? If so what did he say? You seem to be getting a little ahead of yourself here. WHO asked when you plan to be in the office? Who said you could discuss it later? How do my 2 preceding questions square with no one has said anything to you about it? I'm not sure if your anxiety is causing you to misperceive things or if it is merited, you are contradicting yourself. I'd start with your boss and ask how he perceives your situation.

[Anonymous]

Who asked you when you plan to be in the office? That’s an aggressive negotiation move. You should speak with your manager about this, respectfully , but make yourself heard.

[Anonymous]

Since you listed as remote, maybe they expect you to not be in the office at all, is that a possibility?
You have nothing to lose but to negotiate then fill out an agreement.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

My boss is the associate director and heads up my team. He’s 100% remote. I recently brought the issue up to him and he said he’s supports me working from home, which he has said consistently. I am a manager.

His boss is the director. She’s onsite and wants more people in the office. She acquired more office space and it’s her executive assistant who is asking for my in office days. My boss has not been included in these communications.

And, yes. I am absolutely having pre-anxiety before I concretely know I have a problem. This is a new job and I want it to go well. I’m in a niche field. It’s hard for them to find fully qualified candidates and it’s hard for me to find well suited positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can start looking but...nobody's told you Mondays isn't enough, right? Keep on with it until you're told otherwise. It is not easy to find fully remote jobs right now.

Disagree with the PP above saying go to the union and HR. You were hired hybrid. It's within management's rights to ask you to come to the office.

It's a government job and their current position description is remote. Even if it where hybrid, hybrid would have a definition. Management's has much less discretion than in the private sector

I'm the PP you're responding to and I'm a government employee hired remote. The government can, in fact, change that. They can force a whole agency to move across the country! They just have to pay relocation if you're more than a certain distance from the work site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can start looking but...nobody's told you Mondays isn't enough, right? Keep on with it until you're told otherwise. It is not easy to find fully remote jobs right now.

Disagree with the PP above saying go to the union and HR. You were hired hybrid. It's within management's rights to ask you to come to the office.

It's a government job and their current position description is remote. Even if it where hybrid, hybrid would have a definition. Management's has much less discretion than in the private sector

I'm the PP you're responding to and I'm a government employee hired remote. The government can, in fact, change that. They can force a whole agency to move across the country! They just have to pay relocation if you're more than a certain distance from the work site.

They can, but there is a formal process. Your boss can't just wake up tomorrow and decide that you're no longer remote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

My boss is the associate director and heads up my team. He’s 100% remote. I recently brought the issue up to him and he said he’s supports me working from home, which he has said consistently. I am a manager.

His boss is the director. She’s onsite and wants more people in the office. She acquired more office space and it’s her executive assistant who is asking for my in office days. My boss has not been included in these communications.

And, yes. I am absolutely having pre-anxiety before I concretely know I have a problem. This is a new job and I want it to go well. I’m in a niche field. It’s hard for them to find fully qualified candidates and it’s hard for me to find well suited positions.

Well, that actually works in your favor for keeping telework. And the EA might be the telework coordinator and needs to get everyone's schedule. Try to calm down.

[Anonymous]

OP, you said your job is listed as remote. When they asked you when you plan to be in the offic, how come you didn't reply that your job is remote?