Pre-covid as long as your manager was fine, people in our department could be deemed remote. Even the admins could be home based after awhile.
I never asked since in office days were never enforced anyway. Now those in hybrid roles are started to be asked to come back and my request is not getting approved but I still see new positions created that are remote. According to my manager it was denied by HR but not how true this is…
I had to get ADA accommodation to work remotely.
I was already 75% WFH pre-COVID, but mid-2021 requested and received formal approval to be fully remote. Whether that would be approved if I were requesting it now, I don't know. I suspect it very much depends on your role and your management team... I have a support role working with business lines in other states and people I've never met in person, and my manager now lives in another state, so "being in the office" doesn't make much sense. I have a good office setup at home and over the years have proven I am at least as effective working remotely as in the office.
They're making it almost impossible to change working model by requiring managing committee approval. Definitely not putting people first.
Managers are being pressured to not classify anyone as remote. USB wants people in offices. Unless you have a medical reason for an accommodation you’re probably out of luck.
Haven't seen much formal changing to "remote". Nearly everyone in my line is classified as hybrid at this point . Now whether or not you choose to follow an actual hybrid schedule or just keep doing your own thing is going to depend on what kind of performer you are and the relationship with your manager. It just comes down to risk reward, if you actually want your job and honestly realize that you are kind of replaceable at least stick to the hybrid schedule. If you don't care or know that they can't replace you then just keep doing your thing! Just don't be the mediocre just getting by person who also feels entitled to keep working remote full time, those are the ones that they're looking to make an example of.
Changing someone to remote status is up to your manager even if they won’t admit it and blame others for making you come back to the office.
Driving distance has nothing to do with it. My whole dept was changed to remote well before the pandemic because our bldg was running out of space. It was not our choice.
That’s the biggest joke of RTO. There are tons people who live within driving distance of an office classified as remote who don’t have to come in on the same team as hybrid workers in the same type of role who do have to come in. It makes zero sense.
There are people that live in Minneapolis that are coded as remote. You are your biggest advocate. Speak up.
HR has no role in approving requests for remote work. Director level approval is needed within your department. Think CEO -> direct report -> director who would be approving. Basically third down in the food chain is the approver.
I was told unless you live an hour away you have to come in. But I do think every department is different.