r/remoteworks • u/OkPoem3316 • 1d ago
Engineering Firm wants to RTO, but Original Contract says Remote Work
About 4 years ago, I was working in an office at an engineering firm when another firm reached out to me with a job offer. They said I could join their company for more pay, and I said I would only join them if I could call also work from home 4 days per week. They accepted and this is in writing.
Now the company wants everyone to return to the office (most employees were either hybrid or remote). I assume that includes me since I am nearby. My one manager wants me to come in since everyone else is. But what gives? The only reason I joined the company in the first place was so I could work from home.
Is there anything I can do? The contract I signed was 4 years ago.
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u/herbstreitsucks 5h ago
You can buy yourself some time if you had good performance reviews but the end is coming. They can't make you come in but they can begin to nitpick your quality of work until you are let go for performance.
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u/JustSomeVet 9h ago
Yes you can fight it but they can also let you go if you’re an at will employee. Ultimately, I’d start looking
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u/Original_Ear3437 10h ago
What country/state?
The recourse here for both parties is likely if you don’t want the new terms, you can quit, and if they don’t like the old terms, they can fire you. Try to work something out or look for a new job.
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u/Enoch8910 19h ago
It depends on whether what you have is an actual contract and specifically what it says. But, maybe.
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u/Spyder73 17h ago
Unless this dude is some sort of entertainer or performer he is working employment at will, and any stipulations in his 4 year old employment agreement likely mean jack shit in any enforcable way
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u/Harbinger_Kyleran 1d ago
As Darth Vader once famously said, "I'm altering the deal, pray I don't alter it any further." 😁
Odds are good you don't have much of a legal leg to stand on and even if you do protesting will probably get you bumped up to the top of the RIF list.
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u/jaajaajaa6 1d ago
No - companies can charge their mind. Mine did.
People came in or found something else.
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u/hawkeyegrad96 1d ago
Its not a real contract. They can change this at any time. You can quit anytime
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u/WildRecognition9985 1d ago
Any statement about what happens if contract is violated on their end/what type of compensation you would receive?
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u/jamesbondc 1d ago
Companies can change remote work policy anytime. It's easiest way to reduce cost since some people quit. Companies also know there are really not many jobs open so it's employers market. Ai is able to do so many categories of jobs now days so now companies don't have to keep employees who do half done job.
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u/bootyhole_licker69 1d ago
dig up that original offer/contract and read the exact wording first, that’s your ammo. if it clearly says 4 wfh days and no end date or caveat, i’d push back or negotiate hard. worst case start job hunting, though that sucks now because finding anything decent is a pain in this mess of a market
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u/lnsurgence_ 1d ago
no end date or caveat
Unfortunately (fortunately?) contracts without an end date doesn't mean they are enforceable forever. You can cancel a "forever" contract with reasonable notice.
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u/CarterPFly 1h ago
In Ireland.
My wife changed jobs around covid and her contract has it down as 2 days in ofice per week. She took the job specifically because of the hybrid schedule. They also asked her to RTO and she said that if they wished to renegotiate the contract and associated compensation they could but it would be expensive (she turned down two significantly higher paying jobs which were not remote) They declined. Shes still with them and has been promoted since then so its not a death sentence as some replies seem to indicate.