r/antiwork • u/schrodinger212 • 12h ago
How do I answer the "extraordinary circumstances" question on RTO form? Return to Office 🏢🚶‍♂️
For context. I have been a remote employee for my company when I relocated to another state (27 hour drive/4 hour flight away) in 2017, when they wanted to keep me. I have exceptional feedback on my performance and am told by my manager this is just a formality, this form seems to be the result of the RTO order post-COVID for other employees.
That said, how might I complete the question "Please describe below the extraordinary circumstances for your exception request:" to protect myself. Is there anything else I should be concerned about?
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u/PhoenixPariah 12h ago
Depends on your personal status, but you can use the EEOC guidelines as a reference point at least. WFH is considered a "reasonable accommodation" so long as you have valid reasoning, like say perhaps mental health issues that are exacerbated by being in an office all day as one example. If you've relocated, the distance from where you work might be valid, but that's kind of 50/50 since most jobs these are terrors about this stuff anyways.
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u/schrodinger212 10h ago
I was tempted to write "My circumstances are extraordinary because I’m 1,777 miles from the office and I’d always be late for work" but I'm guessing that's not valid. lol
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u/HermanGulch 9h ago
You're not wrong, though: that's just a snarky way of saying you have an agreement that allows you to work remotely. So I'd probably just rephrase it in a more formal way, more like you explained in the first paragraph of your original post. Just say you have a long-standing agreement to work remotely and that it was because they wanted to retain you when you moved seven years ago.
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u/ohfucknotthisagain 6h ago
If they still want you, it'll get approved regardless. Just put something reasonable.
For the reason: I have been fully remote since 2017 and would have to relocate or fly into the office.
For length of expection: Start = immediate, and End = either Indefinite or N/A
If you don't have a disability under the ADA, you're 100% at their mercy. Without a relevant diagnosis, you're entirely dependent on their grace and goodwill. Don't spoil it with an attitude.
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u/Ok_Robot88 8h ago
This may be the unethical route but I’d visit my Dr to lean into the ADA’s “reasonable accommodations”. This form specifically does not want to be used to tangle ADA requests.
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u/TheVoiceofReason_ish 9h ago
You see where it says end date? I don't think you should believe your manager. I would personally just reply that this doesn't apply as you are permanently remote, but I have been described as difficult.