Hello everyone. I have a problem in my work and I need some outside views. It makes me very stressed, what has happened. I am not sure if I am the one who is wrong here.
I work as a senior analyst for a company for over two years now. When I took this job, it was very important for me the working conditions. I have small children and my husband, he also has a demanding job. We live some distance from the office, maybe one hour travel each way. So, when I was interviewed, I made it very clear that I must have a hybrid work arrangement. This meant coming to office only two days in the week, sometimes three if there was a special meeting, but mostly two days. This was agreed by my manager then, who is no longer here, and also by the HR person. They wrote it in my offer letter, not exactly “two days only” but “flexible hybrid work model” and during the discussion, they confirmed two days. This was very important for my decision to accept this offer, over another one which was fully in office but closer to my home.
For these two years, everything was fine. I came two days, sometimes I came three days if it was needed, always I was flexible when it was truly needed. My work performance, it is always very strong. My reviews are excellent, I always meet my targets, and my projects are completed on time. My colleagues, they rely on me for many things, and I am always available online for them during work hours. I am a very dedicated employee.
Now, things have changed. We have a new boss, I will call her Maria. Maria joined our team maybe six months ago. At first, she seemed okay. But then, about two months ago, she started saying that the company wants more “face time.” She said that all employees should be in the office three days a week, minimum. Then last month, she sent an email saying it is now four days a week for everyone in our department. She said this is for “team cohesion” and “better collaboration.”
When I saw this email, I was very surprised. I went to speak with Maria directly. I explained to her my situation, exactly as I just explained to you. I reminded her of my original agreement, the one from my offer letter and the discussions. I told her that for me, coming four days is very difficult. It adds two extra hours of commute each day, four days a week, this is eight hours more in traffic. It also makes childcare arrangements very complicated and more expensive. My husband, he cannot always pick up the children. I told her that my work does not require me to be physically present for four days. All my work can be done from home, and I already collaborate very well with my team using online tools.
Maria, she listened to me, but I felt she did not really understand. She said, “I understand your situation, but company policy has changed. We need everyone to be fair. It is not fair if some people come four days and some people come two days. We are a team, we must work together in person more often.” She said that “flexibility” in the offer letter means the company can change it when needed. She also said that “team cohesion” is important for “innovation” and “morale.” She said that if I don’t follow the new policy, it will be a “performance issue.”
I felt this was very unfair. I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for the conditions under which I was hired to be respected. I already work very hard, more than some others I think. And my work is good. Why should I be punished for a new policy that goes against my original agreement? I told her that I believe this is a breach of my employment conditions. She said I could take it to HR if I want, but HR will support the company policy. She also said it is not a “punishment,” it is “expectation.”
I have tried to find a compromise. I offered to come three days, which is still one day more than my original agreement. I explained that I would try my best with childcare. But she said no, it must be four days, like everyone else. She said that if I cannot do four days, then maybe this job is not a good fit for me anymore. This felt like a threat to my job. I have dedicated two years to this company, I have built good relationships, and I am good at what I do. Now I am being told I am not a good fit because of a new policy I did not agree to? It makes not sense to me.
I am very upset. I feel like my loyalty and my hard work are not valued. I feel like they are breaking a promise. My colleagues, some of them also complain, but they are going along with it. They say I am making it harder for myself. But I think, if I don’t stand up for myself, who will? Should I just accept this new policy, even if it was not what I agreed to? It feels very wrong to me.
Am I The Jerk for insisting on my original work agreement? Was I wrong to expect the company to honor what was discussed and implied in my offer? Please tell me what you think, truly. I need to know if I am being unreasonable in this situation.
