NatWest’s office attendance diktat shows contempt for workers, says Unite

Unite has condemned NatWest’s decision to increase office attendance requirements for more than 30,000 workers, warning that the move will pile additional financial pressure on staff already struggling with rising living costs while undermining arrangements relied upon by carers and disabled workers.

The bank has announced the abolition of its remote-first category, affecting up to 13,497 workers who currently attend the office only around two days per month. A further 17,272 hybrid workers will also be required to spend more time in the workplace.

Most of those affected are in lower-paid grades and many have structured their lives around flexible working arrangements that have been in place for years.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet another kick in the teeth for workers who have suffered years of real-terms pay cuts and who are struggling to make ends meet. NatWest’s decision is completely out of touch with the realities facing its workforce. Thousands of workers face higher travel and childcare costs and disruption to caring responsibilities.

“For NatWest to impose these changes while reneging on existing agreements shows complete contempt for its workforce. NatWest must ditch these proposals and engage properly with its workers.”

Unite has launched a major survey of its NatWest membership to gather evidence on the financial, practical and personal impact of the proposed changes. The union is calling on NatWest to pause its plans and enter into meaningful negotiations.

Unite is also concerned that NatWest has failed to honour commitments agreed as part of the 2025 pay deal. That agreement included a jointly negotiated blueprint setting out how future changes to office attendance would be consulted on with workers and their union. Instead, Unite says the bank presented a finalised plan without meaningful engagement.

The union is calling on NatWest to return to the agreed blueprint process and work with Unite’s reps to find a fair solution. Unite national officer for finance Caren Evans said: “For many workers, homeworking is not a perk. It is what allows them to balance work with caring responsibilities or manage a health condition. These arrangements have worked successfully for years.

“Unite is launching a survey of NatWest members to understand the full impact of these changes and hear directly from workers about the next steps. NatWest must halt its plans, honour the agreed blueprint process and listen to its workforce before pressing ahead.”

Unite will be holding a series of online and workplace meetings in the coming weeks to ensure members can speak directly to union representatives about the proposals and help determine the next steps of the campaign.