Nationwide scraps 'work from anywhere' policy and orders employees to return to the office

Nationwide chief executive Debbie Crosbie has made it mandatory for staff to visit the office twice a week Photo: Terry Murden/Alamy Stock Photo

Nationwide has canceled its “work from anywhere” policy and mandated that thousands of employees must return to the office at least twice a week.

The building society has told its 13,000 non-branch employees that the policy, which was introduced by its former chief executive during the pandemic, will no longer apply from April next year.

The move marks the latest departure from the post-Covid work-from-home boom, with many companies seeking to clarify when their employees should come into the office.

HSBC, BT and BlackRock have told their staff to return to the office for several days this year days a week to improve productivity.

The change comes after the lender sought to change its policy in August last year following the appointment of chief executive Debbie Crosbie.

The change encouraged employees to spend 20 to 40 percent of their time in the office, but the guidance led to confusion and few complied, prompting society to make two days a week mandatory.

The change received support from the National Group Staff Union (NGSU), which suggested it would lead to a more consistent approach.

Some exceptions will apply to employees who cannot attend the office two days a week.< /p>

In an address to members, Tim Rose, general secretary of the NGSU, said: “We know some people will be disappointed by this policy, but just a few years ago the prospect of such work-life balance would have been a pipe dream. And we must not forget that working from home is not an option for the majority of our colleagues in the branch network.”

He added that the new agreement “helps all parties move forward… and is an important next step in the development methods of work.»

The shake-up reverses a policy launched under former chief executive Joe Garner that allowed staff to work anywhere in the UK.

The policy was designed to give staff «control» over how they balance work and home life «

Garner's policy was introduced in 2021 after a Nationwide employee survey found that 57% of employees want to work from home full time, and 36% want a mix of home and office work.

Nationwide confirmed the changes and said it remains committed to flexible working for employees.

A spokesman said: “Hybrid working is an important part of Nationwide's flexible system. Colleagues are expected to work in the office at least one or two days a week, depending on their role. This change simply increases the minimum period to two days for everyone.»

Nationwide is the world's largest building society with over 680 branches across the UK.