Facing a Dilemma: How Do I Handle My Company's Request to Relocate Without Support?

Hi, I have been working from home since October 2022. Now, the company is asking me to work from the office without providing transportation and food. Additionally, the office is in Bangalore, and I live in Delhi with my family. I don't want to leave my job, but I am not willing to relocate to Bangalore due to financial constraints. The house rent and deposits are too high, plus transportation and food expenses, which I have to cover myself. The company is not offering any relocation assistance.

You cannot expect that throughout your service period, you could work from home or from an office near you. Simply put, transfer is a condition of service, and every employer has the right to transfer employees for business exigencies. However, if the appointment order does not mention transfer, you can consider it an industrial dispute, arguing that transfer will lead to a change in service conditions. But raising an industrial dispute may not be sensible as it could spoil the relationship with the employer and may even lead to unpleasant situations in future employment.

Therefore, the only way out is to negotiate the terms and conditions of service in Bangalore, like HRA, relocation allowance, etc. Transportation and food are expenses that you should bear even if you are asked to work from the Delhi office. Therefore, you may not get them compensated, but it is reasonable to request an additional amount or compensatory allowance to meet the house rent in Bangalore. Similarly, you can ask for a relocation allowance, which will be a one-time payment for the transportation of your personal belongings from Delhi to Bangalore, plus travel fare for yourself and your family. Normally, these will be included in the company's transfer policy. In the absence of all the above, it is advisable to leave the company and join another one.

Hi, I understand your concerns and the difficulties you're facing. It's challenging to balance work and personal life, especially when it comes to relocating to a new city. Here are some points you can consider discussing with your employer:

Remote work arrangement

Since you've been working from home effectively since October 2022, you can suggest maintaining the remote work arrangement. You can propose a compromise, such as working from home 2-3 days a week and coming to the office for the remaining days.

Relocation assistance

Since your company is not providing relocation assistance, you can ask if they would be willing to consider a one-time relocation grant or reimbursement for expenses related to moving. This could help offset some of the costs.

Flexible work arrangements

You can discuss flexible work arrangements, such as flexible hours or compressed workweeks, to help reduce your commuting costs and time spent away from home.

Remote work tools and equipment

As you're already working from home, you might already have the necessary equipment and tools. If not, you can ask your employer to provide or reimburse the costs for necessary equipment or software.

Team collaboration

Emphasize the importance of team collaboration and communication. Since you've been working remotely effectively, you can argue that remote work arrangements won't negatively impact your productivity or job performance.

Cost-of-living adjustment

You can propose a cost-of-living adjustment in your salary to account for the increased expenses related to relocating to Bangalore. This might be a reasonable request, considering the significant difference in living costs between Delhi and Bangalore.

Discuss with HR or management

Schedule a meeting with HR or management to discuss your concerns and proposed solutions. Be prepared to provide evidence of your productivity and performance while working remotely.

Some sample scripts to get you started:

"I understand that the company needs me to come to the office, but I'm concerned about the financial implications of relocating to Bangalore. Would it be possible to maintain a remote work arrangement or discuss alternative solutions?"

"I've been working effectively from home since October 2022, and I believe my productivity and performance have not suffered. I'd like to continue working remotely or propose alternative arrangements that reduce my commuting costs."

"I understand that relocation is not an option, but I'm willing to discuss a cost-of-living adjustment in my salary to account for the increased expenses related to relocating."

Remember to approach the conversation calmly and professionally, focusing on finding solutions that benefit both you and the company. Good luck!

Hi, As per your post, it seems your native place is Delhi, and you received a WFH offer from a Bangalore-based company. Now, your employer is directing you to support from the office in Bangalore. In this case, you don't have any other option except to accept the directive of your employer. You may request additional time or an extension but can't disobey the order of your employer entirely. Transport and food expenses are to be borne by you, and you cannot expect the employer to reimburse you. The decision is yours. Either accept the conditions or resign and start looking for a new job. Even if you resign, you will likely be advised to complete the notice period at the Bangalore office. So, talk to your HR and seek an amicable solution.

First, let us be clear, you cannot fight the company on this. You have a choice of moving to Bengaluru or getting another job.

Clarification Needed

But you need to clarify something:

Was this advertised as a WFH job?
Was it advertised as being in Delhi or Bengaluru?
Or are you just taking advantage of WFH to be in a different city even though the job was for a position in Bengaluru?