NatWest will require all of its nearly 40,000 UK staff to work from the office at least two days a week from February 2027, The Guardian reported on 20 October. For about 13,000 people who now come in only two days a month, that is a big jump, and the Unite union has called it a "kick in the teeth".
Key takeaways
- The rule applies to all UK staff from February 2027.
- About 13,000 remote-first employees move from two days a month to two days a week.
- Unite says many affected staff are among the bank's lower-paid workers, including roles in technology, security and data analytics.
- NatWest serves customers under the NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank and Coutts brands.
Who is affected?
The change mainly hits staff who were hired or moved onto remote-first contracts. According to the union, that group includes people in technology, security, data analytics and other back-office jobs. Staff already on a hybrid pattern of two days a week will see little difference.
Is this part of a wider trend?
Yes. Several large employers have tightened office rules this autumn. Xbox has set a four-day minimum for staff near Redmond from February 2027, and Skydance is moving to five days a week. We track these moves in our guide to building a remote career.
What should remote workers do now?
If your contract says remote-first, read it closely and ask HR how the change will be applied to you. If fully remote work matters to you, start looking early. Our lists of remote job boards and work-from-anywhere jobs are good places to start.
What is the background?
Big UK banks have moved back toward the office over the past two years, and NatWest's remote-first arrangement had become unusual. Banks argue that in-person work helps training, supervision and culture. Unions counter that many staff took remote-first contracts in good faith and organised childcare, housing and commutes around them. The long notice period, until February 2027, gives staff time to adjust or look elsewhere.
Who is affected most?
The 13,000 remote-first employees, many of whom Unite describes as lower paid. People who moved further from an office during the pandemic face the largest change, with new commuting costs and time. Carers and people with disabilities may want to ask about reasonable adjustments or flexible working requests, which UK employees can make from their first day in a job.
What should affected staff and job seekers do?
- Read your contract and any consultation documents, and ask HR in writing how the new rule applies to you.
- If you have a strong reason to stay remote, make a formal flexible working request and keep copies.
- Price your commute. Two days a week can add a large monthly cost.
- If remote work is essential, start looking now while you still have a job. Our guide to flexible remote jobs lists options.
- When interviewing elsewhere, ask how stable the company's remote policy has been over the past two years.
Source: The Guardian, 20 October 2026.
Keep this insight useful.
Share it with your network, save it for later, or create a signed affiliate link.
Creating or clicking a link does not create earnings. Only fraud-reviewed outcomes can allocate an existing eligible paid-ad-funded monthly pool.
