Will I have to go back to the office on 19 July?
Image source: Getty Images  The government has confirmed that it plans to end all lockdown restrictions on 19 July following the delay to the original 21 June easing date. A lot of the focus is on nightclubs reopening and big events being able to take place. But it also means the governments advice to work from home if you can is coming to an end. We take a closer look. Plot your path towards financial freedom with our Heros Journey tool! MyWalletHero is here to help you learn about taking control of your money, whether thats paying off debt, working towards a short-term money goal, or investing for your future. This tool can help you understand the next steps on your journey  simply choose a goal that best describes your current interests to get started. Providing everything goes to plan, the governments advice to work from home if you can will end on 19 July. However, we are yet to see the same calls for everyone to rush back to the office as we saw last summer. That said, it seems that the governments position favours workers going back to the office. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has previously stated that employees may vote with their feet if theyre not allowed back into their offices. While Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that workers have had quite a few days off. The government has confirmed that it is looking into making working from home a default option by allowing employees to request it. But, they have made it clear that there will be no legal right to work from home. 4 iron-clad rules for saving money on everything Our Editor Sam Robson has been on a personal cost-cutting mission for years  and its time to share his wisdom. Check out his choicest saving tips and tricks in this free report, Sams 4 Iron-Clad Rules For Saving Money On Everything. Just enter your email below for instant access to your free copy. Click here! Many companies have announced new flexible working policies. These tend to involve a hybrid model where employees split their working time between the office and home. Companies claim these policies were introduced to suit staff. If you find your companys policy doesnt work for you, the best option is to speak to your HR department and see whether an alternative arrangement can be reached. Some companies have changed their minds during the pandemic. If you were originally told you could work from home indefinitely but have since been called back into the office, you may be wondering where you stand. The first question is whether you have written proof that the company said you could work from home permanently. If so, you may be able to challenge their decision to bring you back to the office. If not, it will be much harder as it will essentially be your word against theirs. In either case, try and communicate openly with your HR department and your manager. This may help you reach a solution that works for both you and the company. There may also be an option for a gradual return. You could agree to start by going into the office once or twice a week and slowly build it up from there as you begin to feel more comfortable. You might not want to return to the office at all. This could be for health, time or monetary reasons. Or perhaps you simply prefer working at home. If your employer demands you go back to the office, you might have little choice. Depending on your companys policy, not going into the office might be considered an unauthorised absence. This means you might not get paid for any days youre not in the office when asked to be, and it could become a disciplinary matter. If you are shielding or have other health problems, it may be sensible to speak to your HR department and see if you can agree an arrangement. If you have serious concerns about how your company is managing its staff going back to the office, you can contact the Health and Safety Executive. For more general concerns, Citizens Advice may be able to advise you on your rights and entitlements. Get a free initial review lasting up to 1 hour, plus 50 off any follow-up advice. MyWalletHero has sourced you a 50 discount off the cost of advice when you find an independent or whole-of-market financial adviser through Unbiased.co.uk*. All advisers are FCA-regulated, qualified and give fully unbiased advice. To find yourself an adviser fast and for free  use the Unbiased matching tool. Find an adviser now! *This is an offer from one of our affiliate partners. For more information on why and how we work with partners, click here. About the author Katie Royals Katie Royals is a financial journalist and personal finance writer. She writes on a range of topics including investing, insurance, and managing your money. Floating somewhere between millennials and gen Z, Katie has a particul... Read More