Barclays workers in the UK demand extra pay to return to office

Barclays workers in the United Kingdom are protesting the bank’s move from two office days to three (with senior staff expected in four) and demanding that the firm cover costs associated with the policy. Thousands of staff signed an open letter criticizing the RTO mandate, set to go into effect in October, and requesting money to cover additional commuting costs. They also called on the bank to provide exemptions for people with commutes over 40 minutes, the Financial Times reported. The workers are members of the trade union Unite, which represents almost 80% of Barclays’ 45,000 workers in the UK. “One of the issues that has caused consternation is that most employers in banking and financial services are generally embracing greater flexibility,” Unite national officer Rick Coyle told The Guardian. “Our members think that Barclays is trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.” In a statement provided to Fast Company, Barclays said: “We recognize the benefits of balancing flexibility for colleagues with the importance of working together in our physical locations. Our minimum time in office requirements vary by business area, reflecting the nature of the work and the needs of th…