Pros
Struggling to think of any
Cons
Was recruited into this role less than 2 years ago when we were just coming out of lockdown and hoping to return to some normality. I'm a cloud services specialist and although I wasn't head-hunted as such I did get a "tap on the shoulder" from a mate who works at Lloyds, knew my skill set and told me there were opportunities coming up as Lloyds looks to move much of it's architecture to Cloud over the next few years. Having always worked for smaller companies I had my reservations and told my pal I didn't think the huge corporate environment was for me. And I wouldn't fit in. He put my fears to bed by explaining that the bank had a strong people culture and that right at the heart of it was flexible working including WFH and varied working patterns. So based on this recommendation and a decent interview and salary offer I made the move. The first 12 months were great. The team made me feel very welcome and I hit the floor running. Let's just say my experience was significantly ahead of many of my new teams mates but I was happy to share knowledge and help them improve. I get on great with my immediate boss and there was talk of promotion within 12 months of me arriving. Then BOOM out of the blue the rug has been pulled. Get in the office 2 days a week says Charlie Nunn. I've been an IT professional for over a decade and a half and never been dictated to like this. My nearest office is an hour away and the office where my actual colleagues are based is even further. But that's not the half of it. I took the job based on an agreement with the hiring manager that I'd have Monday off and work my hours over 4 days. I do this for very personal reasons but I give back so many hours by working late or at weekends to solve problems in my own time. Sounds sad I know but when I have a problem in my head I can't rest until I've solved it. So now I'm regretting coming to this place. Not because of my immediate boss or the team. Or even the work or the workload. It's because some dictator in his wood panelled office has decided that grown adults can't be trusted to work from home and can't get through their workload in 4 longer days. Well get this Mr Nunn and the board. You are so out of touch with the real world. You can try to convince us that we need to adhere to your mantra because we're doing a huge transformation etc etc. But you'll have to do it without me I'm afraid. I'll be out of here by the end of this year and back working somewhere that's more progressive and forward thinking. I'd like to say thanks for my time here but I'll save that for my team mates at my leaving doo. Good luck hiring and retaining the IT specialists you're going to need to make your "huge transformation" into reality.