Civil servants in Angela Rayner’s department are set to strike in response to enforced office attendance policies that many feel are unreasonable. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has announced that members at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will take industrial action, highlighting concerns over the requirement to be in the office for 50% of their working time, with plans to increase this to 60%.
This move comes amid ongoing office closures, which the union argues are detrimental to both staff and public service delivery. The PCS claims that the government’s approach not only fails to save money but also increases commuting costs for employees, who are being asked to meet unrealistic attendance targets without adequate workspace.
The strikes, scheduled to begin later this month, reflect a growing discontent among civil servants regarding workplace flexibility and management practices. Union leaders are calling for a more progressive attendance policy that prioritises staff choice and well-being, rather than rigid compliance measures.
As the situation unfolds, the implications for public service efficiency and employee morale could be significant, potentially reshaping how government departments approach remote work and office attendance in the future.
Source: GB News

