"It's not about change, it's about returning to normality, it's about returning to the real world. People did have to change their habits during the [Covid-19] pandemic but that is now gone and it is vital the whole world goes back to normal and that includes working in the office. I don't believe any workforce, not just our own, is completely and utterly productive when they are working from home. I also don't believe it is good for people's mental health."
"Many employees who had been working remotely for years, some for over a decade, suddenly found their working lives changed almost overnight."
"This isn't about resisting change, it's about ensuring that change is fair, lawful, and respectful of the people who keep this council running every single day."
"A consequence of a return to the office is the associated costs, the cost of parking which can amount to £800 a year for our lowest-paid staff given the fact that many council buildings do not have their own car parks."
Dudley Borough Council requires employees to work from a council building three days per week. Council leader Patrick Harley said buildings are safe and framed the move as a return to normality after pandemic-related habit changes, arguing remote working reduces productivity and harms mental health. Opposition councillor Adam Aston questioned legal compliance and fairness, noting many staff had worked remotely for years and calling for proper consultation with staff and unions. Aston also highlighted financial impacts, warning parking costs could reach £800 annually for lowest-paid staff because many council buildings lack dedicated car parks.
Read at BBC News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]