Hey everyone,
I've been asked to sign a job description for my role as the IT Director at a small to medium-sized business. Everything looks great, but there's one section stating that the position is strictly onsite for five days a week, with no option for hybrid work. Since I've been working in a hybrid capacity for the past two years, I really don't want to lock myself into this arrangement.
The owner is pretty laid back, and I'm not too worried about my current position since we've been good friends for years. However, I'm concerned that if ownership or management changes in the future, they might use this document to justify firing me. I understand that as the company grows, HR needs to get everything organized for the future, but I don't want to sign anything that could make it easier for new management to let me go.
What do you think I should do? Should I negotiate for a hybrid arrangement or just sign it with some amendments? The work can definitely be done 70-80% remotely.
5 Answers
It’s odd to be signing a job description document that isn’t tied to a contract. It feels like they might be using this for future changes, possibly for a successor. So it's good that you’re thinking ahead. Don't panic, but definitely stay alert. How likely do you think the owners are to make major changes soon?
Honestly, this sounds like they might be trying to push you into a strict onsite role without being upfront about it. Once you sign, they could easily say, 'Well, you agreed to it.' Given your long-standing friendship, it seems a bit shady to change the conditions like this. Definitely bring it up—it's smart to clarify everything now, especially since it sounds like a weird request.
You’ve got the upper hand before signing. Make sure your contract reflects your need for hybrid work. The job's totally doable remotely, so push for what works best for you.
Have a chat with them about why hybrid work is important for you. Let them know that signing off on an onsite position could actually make it harder for them to find your successor in the future. More flexibility could attract better candidates!
It's really important to get that hybrid work schedule in writing while you still have some leverage. Don't be shy to ask for it! You deserve to have your working conditions clearly defined, especially when you’ve been successfully working that way for so long.
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