Ways of Working Update - UB NI & ROI - UB 07/25

UB 07/25

Members will be aware that there are three categories in the Ulster Bank/NatWest Ways of Working framework:  Office first; Hybrid; and Remote first.

The minimum standards set out for each of the categories are the following:

• Office first – minimum of 4 days a week
• Hybrid – minimum of 1.5 days a week 
• Remote first – minimum of 2 days a month

The Bank has carried out a review and to date not everyone has been adhering to the Ways of Working model. Your Union is aware that there has been no enforcement in many business areas of the model and staff were not encouraged to attend office locations as often as they were required to. As of today, the Bank has given notice that from September there will be a requirement to adhere to attendance in the office set out in each category. For colleagues based in ROI, this will be coordinated locally due to the limited availability of office space.

Colleagues based in branch are required to be in the office 5 days a week.

The lead in period from now until September will allow time for those who need to make arrangements to work around family commitments.

If you don’t feel you are in a position to meet the minimum standards of the framework you should have a conversation with your manager. Your manager can agree to an exception in some circumstances, and they can make other adjustments to support you. You may also want to consider flexible working options. For further information please contact your FSU representative or review the Ways of Working guidance pack. If you have an existing flexible working arrangement, reasonable adjustment or ROI remote working arrangement it will remain in place.

For those who currently have reduced hours, your line manager can agree what’s reasonable based on your working arrangement, team operating rhythm and customer needs. Speak to your manager to discuss further, and contact your Union should you need further assistance.

If you have a medical condition or disability that makes coming into the office challenging, your line manager can consider an exception to the minimum standards or make other adjustments to support you.

If you were recruited into your role post the introduction of the Ways of Working framework with a specific agreement on your office attendance, please speak to your line manager and refer to the information on the Bank’s exceptions process in the ways of working guidance pack. Contact your union representative should you need further assistance.

Your Union understands some members have a strong preference for working from home, but there is no change to what has always been in place in relation to the model, except Grades D & E roles which are currently remote first are to be changed to hybrid from September. The Ways of Working model at Ulster Bank is held up throughout the Sector as being the most reasonable in terms of flexibility for staff, and your Union is available to assist anyone who cannot accommodate the minimum standards.

If you require further information or assistance please contact your Sector Committee, details below:

Mandy La Combre

Senior Industrial Relations Officer