NatWest return to office order: 13,000 staff must go from two days a month to two days a week
NatWest has told 13,000 employees, many of them among the bank's lowest paid, to raise their office attendance from two days a month to two days a week. The Unite union called the move a "kick in the teeth".
NatWest return to office order: 13,000 staff must go from two days a month to two days a week
NatWest has ordered 13,000 staff to increase their office attendance from two days a month to two days a week. The Unite union described the decision as a "kick in the teeth" for those affected.
Who is affected from February 2027
Nearly 40,000 UK staff will be required to follow a two days a week office schedule from February 2027. For 13,000 of them, the change abolishes a remote-first policy that allowed far lighter attendance.
- The 13,000 affected staff are among NatWest's lowest-paid workers
- They include staff in technology, security, data analytics and human resources
NatWest serves customers under the Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank and Coutts brands.
Unite's response
Unite said the change would pile additional financial pressure on staff already struggling with rising living costs, and would undermine flexible arrangements for those with caring responsibilities or disabilities.
"This is yet another kick in the teeth for workers who have suffered years of real-terms pay cuts"
That is Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who also called the decision completely out of touch with the realities facing the workforce, pointing to higher travel and childcare costs.
"For NatWest to impose these changes while reneging on existing agreements shows complete contempt for its workforce."
NatWest's reasoning
A NatWest spokesperson said flexible working remains an important part of how the bank works, but that it has learned more about the value of spending time together, helping teams collaborate and learn from one another. The bank said it will give affected colleagues time to plan ahead and support them through the transition.
The bank echoed arguments made by other banks ranging from JP Morgan to Revolut, which say remote working harms the training of younger staff. Some NatWest staff, including traders, branch workers and relationship managers, are already required in the office four days a week, while others such as communications, administrative and analytics employees work a hybrid schedule of six days a month.
Barclays backdrop
Last month, Barclays was forced to push back its return-to-office plans after a staff backlash backed by Unite, softening a three days a week requirement from early October, up from two. The bank allowed some staff to delay the requirement until next year.
NatWest says it will support affected colleagues through the transition ahead of the February 2027 deadline.
