'Balancing flexibility' | Barclays staff seek travel costs as return-to-office mandate sparks backlash

Barclays is facing resistance from employees over plans to require most staff to attend the office at least three days a week from October.

The bank currently expects full-time employees to work from an office for a minimum of two days each week. Under the new arrangements, more senior members of staff will be required to attend for at least four days.

Unionised employees represented by Unite are calling on Barclays to help workers meet the additional cost of travelling to work. They are also seeking an exemption from the increased attendance requirement for employees whose commute takes more than 40 minutes.

Thousands of staff have signed an open letter setting out their concerns, according to Unite, which represents nearly 80% of the bank’s 45,000 UK employees. The union is expected to raise the strength of opposition directly with Barclays.