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The bank wants more of its staff back at their desks, but a trade union says the change is unfair.

NatWest has announced that, from February, its employees will be expected to work in the office for a minimum of two days each week.

The change affects around 30,000 workers. The bank is scrapping remote working, which meant 13,497 employees went into the office about twice a month, and a further 17,272 hybrid workers will have to spend more time at their workplace.

NatWest says the policy is still generous compared with other banks and that colleagues who need extra flexibility will be treated as exceptions.

It believes face-to-face working improves teamwork and communication, helps staff share ideas and learn from one another, and builds stronger relationships with colleagues and customers. Staff are being given time to prepare.

Trade union Unite, which represents many of the workers, disagrees. It says many of the affected employees are on lower pay and will face higher travel and childcare costs, while disabled staff and carers could find their arrangements disrupted.

Unite also claims the bank is going back on existing agreements and has called on it to drop the plan and talk properly with its workforce.

Since the pandemic made working from home normal for many office staff, several firms have asked people to return. Amazon, Boots and JP Morgan now expect head office staff in every day, whereas Barclays gave its staff longer to adjust after complaints about a three-day rule.