Coronavirus: Civil servants ‘must return to office soon’

The government has urged Whitehall owners to “hurry up” to bring more staff back into office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it states that it is “encouraging” attendance through rota systems, arguing that it would be very beneficial.

It comes after criticism that many civil servants working from home due to coronavirus have returned to their desks despite being locked up.

But the unions have described the government’s attitude as outdated.

He says most civil servants should expect to be able to work from home by the end of the year and are afraid of the increased risk of catching coronavirus when they return with an ally.

Analysis of mobile phone data was suggested last month Only 17% of UK workers Was back in office.

The government has launched a campaign To encourage people to return to work Business leaders, including the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), have warned that city centers Can become “ghost towns”.

The CBI’s Dame Caroline Fairbain has said that thousands of businesses that rely on trade are unhappy while offices are empty.

But Alex Brazier, executive director of the Bank of England for financial stability, warned that the government One should not expect a “sharp return” to the “dense office environment”.

The government says it wants 80% of civil servants to be able to return to their workplace at least once a week by the end of September.

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

Permanent Secretaries – In a letter to top officials, Sir Mark Sedwill, Cabinet Secretary in Government Departments, and Alex Chisholm, Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Service, said: Improve the public services we provide “.

He adds: “We’ve seen a low level of social interaction between our partners, eliminating some of the spontaneous interactions and inter-pregnancies between teams that maintain innovation and maintain common goals.”

But he says staff safety remains “our biggest concern”, and discussions will be held with unions and staff groups about returning to work.

The letter added: “Departments that are still less than their departmental restrictions should now move swiftly to try to bring more staff back to office in a quid-safe manner, and return to schools this month. Benefit and increase the availability of public transport “

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

Leader Dave Payman accused ministers of making “loudspeakers” at a time when technology has made it easier to work from home.

And Mark Sarvotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider industrial action “the last resort” if it “put the health and safety of workers at risk”.

Meanwhile, the outsourcing firm Capita – is a major government contractor We plan to close one third of our offices in the UK permanently.