Decision to recall some home-workers to the office doesn't reflect a change in HR policy, says BT

The telecoms giant is reorganising a number of jobs in the company and has asked 200 home-workers in the Global Services division to come back into the workplace for training in new skills.

But BT claims this is "in no way reflective of any change in HR policy" as it still has 10,000 home-workers and 64,000 more are equipped to work flexibly.

In the financial year ending 31 March 2009, BT reported a pre-tax loss of £134 million.

A spokesman from BT told HR magazine: "In order to further improve service and support for our UK BT Global Services customers we are making changes to the division's service operations.

"As part of these efforts a small number of BT's employees involved in front-line customer service roles for BT Global Services are being asked - where appropriate - to work in the office, rather than from home. There are still many roles where people will continue to have the opportunity to work away from the office."

A spokeswoman from the Communication Workers Union added: "We support the right to flexible working. There is a need to make some changes within Global Services that includes re-skilling some staff including home-workers, and this will involve changing their workplaces for the purposes of re-training.

"We believe these changes should not have to be permanent and have secured a six month review and an agreement which specifically considers people with caring responsibilities and health issues. BT has a good record on flexible working and we hope the company will build on its award-winning record in this area."

Today BT was included in the Top Employers for working families listing by Working Families, sponsored by HR magazine.