'Deep concern' | FCA staff threaten industrial action over proposed hybrid working changes

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is facing the threat of industrial action after members of Unite the Union overwhelmingly opposed potential changes to the regulator’s hybrid working policy.

In an open letter to the FCA’s executive committee, union representatives revealed that 93% of members voted in favour of taking action short of a strike, such as refusing to comply with any new attendance threshold, if mandatory office time is increased beyond the current 40%.

The union said the result “reflects deep and widespread concern among staff” and warned that any attempt to push through changes without negotiation risks undermining morale, trust, and the FCA’s wider mission.

Staff pushback over fairness, costs and transparency

The FCA’s hybrid working model, introduced in the wake of the pandemic, has been credited by staff with supporting productivity, wellbeing and inclusivity. Unite argues that forcing more office attendance would constitute a “pay cut” due to added commuting and childcare costs, especially given the regulator’s recent 2.75% pay award, which falls short of inflation.