UKCasual

Absolutly exploded at HR/security department today

I manage a team of developers some staff some contractors on multiple projects for a mid size enterprise with high tec manufacturing base.

I let most of my staff work from home as much as they want but bring them in occasionally (twice a year) just as I think appraisals are better face to face and when I do I buy them a canteen meal as part of the chat....my contractors I am literally not allowed to dictate place of work under ir35 so they can do what they please. Some of the team choose to be in office others at home some hybrid. (Sometimes we have projects involving 10tonne 5axis milling machines that needs a poke from the machine floor)

About 2 months ago security/hr said since pandemic they had lost track of who had access to buildings so would be terminating passes of all those not swiping in for 6months.. I (and a few others managers) emailed to clarify would they be able to keep their IT remote access, company laptop etc and visit on a visitor pass if really need (it failure), confirming this round up was just building access. And we were assured that it was just building access.

Fast forward to yesterday we get an email saying termination process has been initiated for contractors not visiting site (they live 150miles away). Rather than just removing the building access pass they have full on ended the contracts as "not being utilised", a contractor that logs on every day and to be honest is more useful than some of those who presentee at work.