NatWest to increase office attendance from February 2027

NatWest plans to require remote-first employees to attend the office two days a week from February 2027, while also increasing attendance requirements for hybrid staff. The change affects nearly 13,500 remote-first workers and about 17,000 hybrid employees, the bank and union have said. Under the existing arrangements, remote-first staff generally attend two days a month, while hybrid workers attend at least three days a fortnight. NatWest said flexible working would remain important, but that spending more time together benefits colleagues and customers. The bank said it would give affected employees time to plan and support them through the transition. The announcement prompted criticism from Unite, which represents some NatWest employees. General Secretary Sharon Graham said the policy would increase travel and childcare costs and disrupt caring responsibilities. Those effects were described by the union and have not been independently measured in the supplied reporting. Unite also said the planned change breaches consultation arrangements in a 2025 pay deal. The reporting does not establish whether the deal’s terms prohibit or constrain the new attendance rules, and...