In an internal communication issued to the bank’s employees, staffers were advised that they must come into work five days a week from January.
The correspondence said “working from home is not permitted” for Northern Irish residents and they will not cover travel costs for commuters.
“Any failure to comply with these conditions will represent a serious breach of both this policy and the Code of Conduct, and will lead to referral under the Disciplinary Policy which may result in disciplinary sanctions up to and including the termination of your employment,” the policy document states, according to RTE.
The decision is centred upon “tax obligations” for AIB to comply with as part of recent amendments to the bank’s hybrid working policy.
A spokesperson for AIB told the Belfast Telegraph: “There is an onus on AIB to remain tax compliant. We have clear rules on the working location for employees of our Republic of Ireland business who live in Northern Ireland. Employees of our Republic of Ireland business who live in Northern Ireland must work in our Republic of Ireland locations.
“In order to comply with our tax obligations under current tax laws we are not in a position to facilitate them in working from their home in Northern Ireland.”
AIB said the move stems from “tax obligations”
News Catch Up – Wednesday 10 December
It comes after Ireland-based staff were told they would have to work a minimum of three days in the office from the New Year.
However, members of Ireland’s Financial Services Union voted “overwhelmingly” against the conditions and the issue was referred to the Workplace Relations Commission for conciliation.
Hybrid working in Northern Ireland has also faced opposition after seeing a resurgence of staff being asked to return to the office.
In September, a new policy from Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) required its 24,000 strong labour force to begin working on site more.
Employees must now commit to spending “at least 40% of their contractual working hours each week” on company grounds, which is a minimum of two days of a five-day working week.
The move, that was fully enforced in October, saw backlash from trade unions who called the move “disappointing.”
Deputy general secretary of NIPSA Maria Morgan said the union has “consistently opposed the introduction of a mandatory 40% office attendance requirement”.
“We maintain that the current hybrid arrangements are working well and meeting business needs while supporting staff flexibility,” she said.
An evidence session held by the Assembly’s Committee for Finance discussed the new requirements in May.
Sharon Smyth, deputy secretary for construction and procurement delivery in the Department of Finance, told committee members “a direction on back-to-the-office” was likely after a review of the hybrid-working policy.
According to a survey conducted by recruitment agency Hays, almost half of professionals in the UK said they would consider stepping away from their current role if they forced to work in the office full-time.
The research, based on answers from 8,000 respondents, found 77% of the workforce are currently working in a hybrid fashion.
