Related Posts
Conversation Starter
More Posts
Additional Posts in Brand Side
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
Sign Up to see all discussions
- Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
- Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
- Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
"" is an unusual email domain. If correct, please proceed to the next step
Messaging rates may apply
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Share
Embed this post
Copy and paste embed code on your site
Preview
Download the
Fishbowl app
Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile
Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl
Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl
Messaging rates may apply
Two separate things.
1: No. you were hired remote and have a contract. If they want to change that, they need to renegotiate.
2: 35 minute commute is nothing.
Fight, but be prepared you may need to quit.
Or get fired (with no severance). Cue Omnicom this past year and a half. Know a handful that tried to stay tough and it ended badly for them.
Subject Expert
A 35 minute drive in a warm/ air conditioned car with your playlist is nothing. It’s not like you need to take a train line to the city like NJ Transit that always breaks down and robs passengers of hours of their lives every week.
That said, the contract you accepted clearly stated “remote.” Therefore they need to renegotiate with you to pay your commuting expenses or give you a raise to cover these new costs.
Expect them to say “no” though.
I would be putting up a fight. It is not like you were working there prior to the pandemic in the office and went remote due to that so it could be expected that you return to the office. You were hired for a remote position, so your position should remain remote.
I say “yes.” You accepted the job and pay based on no commute. Commute = cost of car, gas, insurance, tolls, etc. Since I’ve been fully remote, only have a single car.
In the same boat here OP. Thanks for writing in! I already tried this and they said “the contract you signed was for remote but, it states that we have the right to change it.” I do agree with folks here that there are now obvious costs that will be additional with going into the office. I haven’t brought this up myself — but I anticipate them saying we can’t pay you more, times are tough etc.
Reply: I can’t pay extra for my commute. Times are tough, etc.
OOF I am so sorry to hear that OP. It seems like many offices are doing this right now and I don't know why because they are going to lose so many good people by forcing people back into the office. I honestly don't think it will change things but I definitely think you should push back atleast a little.
“Not loving the idea of a 35 min commute” is the most entitled gen z shit I’ve ever read lol. But yeah, as called out above, you do have leverage here if you want to push back - just be ready for them to say no and find someone who will be ok with it.
And a gentle reminder that being around other humans IRL can be quite good for the team, your mental health and your own growth. Just a bummer they couldn’t find some middle ground at 2 or 3 days per week
They clearly have the money to pay a crazy rent. Surely they have the money to make it right with you.
35 minutes is a cakewalk.
I used to live in upper Fairfield County Connecticut and took the train into the city every day except Fridays. I thought the one day from home was a godsend. Did this for 4 years, 1.5+ hours each way depending on if I could find close parking to the train station, or if there were no delays. Many days one leg could be 2 hours. I thought everyone else did it too (because lots of people did my trains were packed with even more people further up the Line). Crazy.
Is it written in the contract that it’s a remote role? Or was it verbally agreed on?
Subject Expert
OP said the signed contract says remote.
I’d be surprised if the contract is so cut and dry that it would always remain remote. Seems like most companies at least imagined the potential need to RTO and would’ve covered themselves in that regard. In terms of increased comp I’m assuming the comp was largely influenced by the your location and market rate. So, your commuting expenses were likely already a part of that rate, you just didn’t have to commute. Or did you take less when you took the role because there would not be commuting?