{
  "id": 15775911,
  "title": "Natwest facing backlash from union after ordering staff into office twice a week",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/natwest-facing-backlash-from-union-after-ordering-staff-into-office",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-20T17:44:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/natwest-facing-backlash-from-union-after-ordering-staff-into-office-twice-a-week/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Natwest, a FTSE 100 bank, is facing criticism from trade union Unite after announcing a new policy that requires staff to spend two days a week in the office. Unite, which represents over 1 million workers across various sectors, including Natwest employees, has described the bank's decision as \"out of touch with the realities facing its workforce.\" Starting in February, all employees at Natwest will be required to work from the office for two days a week. Currently, some 'remote-first' workers are required to attend the office for two days a month, a requirement that will end with the new policy.\n\nUnite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, has criticized the move, stating that it 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.\" She added that the bank's decision is \"completely out of touch with the realities facing its workforce.\" Graham emphasized that thousands of workers will face higher travel and childcare costs, as well as disruptions to their caring responsibilities. Natwest must abandon these office attendance plans and engage properly with its workers, she added.\n\nNearly 17,300 staff at Natwest follow a hybrid working pattern, attending the office at least three days a fortnight. Another 13,500 workers are remote-first, only required to attend the office twice a month. The remainder of the bank's UK staff, including customer-facing roles, branch workers, traders, and other customer-facing roles, already spend at least four days a week in the office. Natwest has acknowledged that this change will be challenging for some colleagues and has promised to support them through the transition. A Natwest spokesperson stated that flexible working remains important, but spending time together also brings value to colleagues and customers.",
  "summary": "Natwest is facing backlash from trade union Unite over a new plan to require workers to attend the office for a mandatory two days a week. On Tuesday, Unite the Union, a trade union which represents over 1 million workers across private, public, and voluntary sectors, including some Natwest employees, said the lender’s decision was [...]",
  "key_points": [
    "Natwest orders staff to work in office twice weekly, sparking union backlash",
    "Unite, representing 1 million+ workers, criticizes policy as out of touch",
    "Thousands face higher travel, childcare costs, disrupted caregiving responsibilities"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Business",
        "title": "Union attacks NatWest plans to reduce working from home",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/union-attacks-natwest-plans-to-reduce-working-from-home",
        "published": "2026-10-20T14:50:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}