Unite accuses bank of reneging on commitments as workers face higher costs, disruption to caring responsibilities and increased barriers for disabled staff

 Unite has condemned NatWest's decision to increase office attendance requirements for more than 30,000 workers, warning that the move will pile additional financial pressure on staff already struggling with rising living costs while undermining arrangements relied upon by carers and disabled workers.

 Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: "This 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. NatWest's decision is completely out of touch with the realities facing its workforce. Thousands of workers face higher travel and childcare costs and disruption to caring responsibilities.

 "For NatWest to impose these changes while reneging on existing agreements shows complete contempt for its workforce. NatWest must ditch these proposals and engage properly with its workers."

 The bank has announced the abolition of its remote-first category, affecting up to 13,497 workers who currently attend the office only around two days per month. A further 17,272 hybrid workers will also be required to spend more time in the workplace.

 Most of those affected are in lower-paid grades and many have structured their lives around flexible working arrangements that have been in place for years.

 Unite has launched a major survey of its NatWest membership to gather evidence on the financial, practical and personal impact of the proposed changes. The union is calling on NatWest to pause its plans and enter into meaningful negotiations.

 Unite is also deeply concerned that NatWest has failed to honour commitments agreed as part of the 2025 pay deal. That agreement included a jointly negotiated blueprint setting out how future changes to office attendance would be consulted on with workers and their union. Instead, Unite says the bank presented a finalised plan without meaningful engagement.

 The union is calling on NatWest to return to the agreed blueprint process and work with Unite's reps to find a fair solution.

 Unite National Officer for Finance Caren Evans said: "For many workers, homeworking is not a perk. It is what allows them to balance work with caring responsibilities or manage a health condition. These arrangements have worked successfully for years.

"Unite is launching a survey of NatWest members to understand the full impact of these changes and hear directly from workers about the next steps. NatWest must halt its plans, honour the agreed blueprint process and listen to its workforce before pressing ahead."

Unite will be holding a series of online and workplace meetings in the coming weeks to ensure members can speak directly to union representatives about the proposals and help determine the next steps of the campaign.

ENDS

Notes to editors

  1. NatWest has announced the abolition of its remote-first category affecting up to 13,497 workers.

  2. A further 17,272 hybrid workers will be required to increase office attendance.

  3. The majority of affected remote-first workers are in lower-paid grades.

  4. NatWest's own internal data shows that remote-first workers report the highest levels of satisfaction with their working arrangements, with 93 per cent stating that remote working provides sufficient flexibility to meet their personal and family needs.

  5. Unite has launched a survey of NatWest members to gather evidence on the financial and personal impact of the proposed changes and to inform the next steps of the campaign.

  6. Unite is calling on NatWest to pause implementation of the proposals and return to the blueprint process agreed as part of the 2025 pay settlement.

  7. Unite represents workers across NatWest Group, including retail banking, customer support, digital and technology services.

For media enquiries ONLY contact: Saba Edwards, Unite Senior Communications Officer - saba.edwards@unitetheunion.org or 07768 693 953.