Home Secretary James Cleverly encourages civil servants to spend more time in the office, citing the importance of human interaction
At an all-staff meeting at the Home Office, Home Secretary James Cleverly addressed the ongoing debate over remote work and urged civil servants to embrace their "tribal" instinct by spending more time in the office. Cleverly drew on centuries of human evolution to bolster his argument, stating that human beings are like animals who have thrived on interaction for thousands of years.
Concerns over remote work lead to potential job losses
A recent survey conducted by the PCS union revealed that 60% of government employees were considering quitting their jobs if they were forced to return to the office three days a week. This survey, which included members from all government departments, highlighted the resistance towards the idea of returning to the office amidst pressure from ministers.
Changing guidelines on office work
Previously, civil servants were encouraged to work from the office for at least two or three days a week after the lifting of lockdown rules in 2022. However, new guidelines issued in November 2023 now state that all Whitehall staff must spend 60% of their working time "face to face" in the office.
Home Secretary emphasizes benefits of face-to-face working
During the Home Office meeting, Mr. Cleverly was asked about the new advice regarding office work. In response, he highlighted that human beings are tribal animals who have historically thrived on interaction. He expressed his belief that people benefit from being around each other more. A source close to the Home Secretary clarified that Cleverly is not against remote working but has a clear understanding of the advantages of face-to-face collaboration.
