NatWest-RBS could face a backlash from members of trade union Unite over the banking group’s new plan to require its staff to attend the office for a mandatory two days a week.
The banking group will require all of its UK staff to follow a strict two days a week office schedule from February 2027, abolishing a remote-first policy for thousands of employees.
A NatWest spokesman said: “Flexible working remains an important part of how we work but we’ve also learned more about the value that spending time together brings for our colleagues and customers — helping teams collaborate, share ideas, build relationships and learn from one another.
“That’s why we’re introducing a more consistent approach across the bank, with colleagues expected to spend at least two days a week in the office, depending on the needs of their role and business area.
“We recognise this will be a change for some colleagues and we’re giving them time to plan ahead and will support them through the transition.”
Unite said it condemned the decision of NatWest-RBS 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.”
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “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.”
The union said the banking group 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 office.
“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,” said Unite.
“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 deeply 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’s 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.”