British bank Barclays has just ramped up its return-to-office expectations, calling on its U.K. staffers to come in three days a week instead of two—and for senior employees, four. Now, workers are pushing back against the mandate and requesting more money and flexibility.
Barclays U.K. staffers who are part of trade union Unite—representing around 36,000 of the bank’s emplooyees—are asking the bank to reconsider the new RTO rules.
They signed an open letter against the mandate planned to roll out this October, demanding that the British bank reverse the decision. And for many, the costs and logistical challenges that come with stricter in-office expectations are top of mind.
So the union called for a one-time payment (to be paid before March 2027), as well as childcare vouchers, subsidized onsite meals, and travel allowances or discounted fare.
Those financial burdens have become top-of-mind for many workers called back into the office. U.K. households are spending an average of £96.40 ($129) on transport every week—and parents are forking over around £47.57 ($63.50) weekly on their young kids.
Staff who live more than 40 minutes away from the office are also demanding an RTO exemption
As well as financial support, staff are also seeking a strict one-day RTO limit for workers who are caregivers, disabled, or live far away from Barclays’ London office in Canary Wharf.
The unionized staffers pressed for automatic exemptions for workers commuting 40 minutes or more; only requiring one day in office when staffers’ teams are in a different location; and a maximum one day rule for anyone with caring responsibilities lasting more than three months.
“The proposed changes will create substantial challenges for many employees, including increased commuting time, higher travel costs, additional caring pressures, poorer work-life balance,” Unite’s open letter to Barclays reads. “These impacts are material and foreseeable.”
But a Barclays spokesperson told Fortune that having staffers come in three days will help them “align with our broader approach across the bank,” and said its senior leaders will be in an extra day to “support collaboration, decision-making and leadership visibility.”
“We recognise the benefits of balancing flexibility for colleagues with the importance of working together in our physical locations,” the spokesperson added. “Our minimum time in office requirements vary by business area, reflecting the nature of the work and the needs of the business.”
Fortune reached out to Unite for comment.
U.K. households are spending $192 weekly on childcare and transportation
Caring for kids and commuting to and from the office each day has become routine for many U.K. workers—but over time, the costs are eating away at their paychecks.
U.K. households spent around £5,012 ($6,296) every year on transportation, according to 2025 ONS Family Spending data. That accounts for 14% of total household expenditure—the second largest life cost after housing. But on top of their $129 weekly traveling costs, they’re spending a pretty penny on ensuring their kids are cared for on the clock.
Parents with children aged 0 to 4 spent a median £47.57 ($64) a week on formal childcare, while those with children aged 5 to 14 spent £18 ($24), according to a 2025 study from the Department for Education.
But those in the city who don’t have access to support are facing an even bigger financial constraint.
The average weekly cost of part-time (25 hours) childcare nurseries and childminders in London for those who are not eligible for free childcare hit £210 ($280.50) last year, according to Greater London Authority’s London Datastore. These costs are 29% higher in London than in other areas in England.
And the costs can quickly stack up. Add together commuting, childcare, lunch, and other expenses that come with spending more days away from home, and an increase in office days can translate into hundreds or thousands of pounds in additional annual spending.
Written by Emma Burleigh for Fortune as “Barclays staffers are demanding more money to return to the office—they want compensation for the $410 weekly cost of childcare and commuting” and republished legally through syndication agreement with Reuters Connect.
