The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) faces challenges in implementing a return-to-office policy due to insufficient office space. As civil servants transitioned to remote work during the pandemic, NICS is simultaneously reducing its office estate by 40% through sales and lease terminations. While current office space suffices for the existing hybrid model, a full-scale return would exceed capacity. Sharon Smyth, chief executive at the Department of Finance, noted that a review of work-from-home policies is forthcoming, alongside ongoing sales of significant office properties like Clarence Court.
A return-to-office policy for the civil service would not be possible because there is no longer enough space to accommodate everyone, Stormont assembly members have been told.
The NI Civil Service is in the process of reducing its office estate by 40% by selling buildings and ending leases.
Sharon Smyth stated that if everyone returned to the office four days a week, there would not be enough physical space for civil servants.
A review of the NICS hybrid working and working-from-home policies is due to be published imminently.
Collection
[
|
...
]