Coronavirus: Government employees ‘must return to office quickly’

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PA Media

The government has urged Whitehall officials to “move quickly” to bring more staff back into office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it said it was “strongly encouraging” presence through the Rota system, arguing it would be “extremely beneficial”.

This has led to criticism that very few civil servants working from home due to coronavirus have returned to their desks despite easing lockdown.

The unions, however, described the government’s attitude as outdated.

They said most civil servants should be expected to work from home by the end of the year and that they risk increasing the risk of catching coronavirus when they return with colleagues.

Analyzing mobile phone data last month, only 17% of UK workers returned to the office.

Business leaders, including the head of the British Industry Confederation (CBI), have warned that urban centers could be “ghost towns” after the government launched a campaign to encourage people in the workplace.

CBI’s Dame Caroline Fairbain said thousands of businesses depend on businesses that are the victims of accidents.

But Alex Brazier, executive director of the Bank of England for Financial Stability, warns that a “sharp return” to the government’s “dense office environment” should not be expected.

The government says that by the end of September, 80% of civil servants will be able to return to their normal workplaces at least once a week.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for weekly updates on the progress of officials.

In a letter to the permanent secretaries – top officials – to government departments, Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Chief Operating Officer of the Civil Service Alex Chisholm said “more people will be employed in a covid-safe way to improve the public service we provide”.

They added: “We have seen a declining level of social interaction among our colleagues, which has led to a decrease in some spontaneous interaction and cross-fertilization between teams operating in innovation and sustainable general purposes.”

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The FDA

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Dave Penman says ministers are behaving like “ludite”

But they say worker safety is “our main concern”, and will be discussed with workplace return unions and staff groups.

The letter added: “Departments that are still below their departmental limitations should take immediate action to bring one more staff member back to the office in a covid-safe way, and increase the availability of public transport and public transport this month.”

The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said this week that it is estimated that 30% to 40% will be able to return to office by the end of the year.

Leader Dave Penman accused ministers of “sounding like Ludwig” in an era when technology makes housework easier.

And Mark Serootka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider the industrial system “as a last resort” if workers’ health and safety were “at risk”.

Meanwhile, outsourcing company Capita – a major government contractor – plans to close more than a third of its offices in the UK permanently.

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