Unite union condemns NatWest's shift to mandatory two-day office rule
Unite has criticised NatWest's plan to require 30,000 staff to work in the office at least two days a week, saying it will raise travel and childcare costs for many.
NatWest intends to roll out a hybrid working arrangement that obliges staff to attend the office at least two days each week from February, effectively scrapping its "remote first" employment tier. The change will affect roughly 30,000 workers, including 13,497 who currently work from the office only twice a month and 17,272 hybrid employees who will see their office days increase. Unite union denounced the plan as out of touch, highlighting that many affected employees are in lower-paid roles and will face higher travel and childcare expenses, as well as disruptions for disabled staff and carers.
Sharon Graham, Unite's secretary-general, described the decision as a "kick in the teeth" and called for NatWest to abandon the proposal and negotiate properly. NatWest defended the shift, saying it values face-to-face interaction for teamwork and customer service while still providing flexibility where role requirements allow. The bank pledged to give staff time to adjust and support them through the transition.
Why it matters
The policy change could increase living costs for thousands of NatWest employees and signals a broader shift away from remote work in finance.
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