CBI chief says bosses want to end remote working
Flexible working arrangements are under threat. Today, Tony Danker, the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) claimed that bosses secretly wanted workers to return to the office.
A lot of office-based businesses were required to work from home during the first lockdowns during the pandemic. Firms soon realised that staff were actually able to manage this generally quite well (although for some there were notable exceptions due to, for example, domestic issues, mental health, lack of access to technology etc). As the pandemic started easing, many businesses redrafted their policies on home and remote-working arrangements, partly on the basis that many employees had proved that it could work, but for some businesses they even realised they could save money on rental for office space, as well as the related utility bills. Many companies now offer a range of options from complete flexibility to mandating say 2 or 3 days in the office. Only a minority seem to mandate a complete return to 5 days for FTEs in the office, although there have been highlighted repercussions for these businesses.
However, according to Mr Danker, companies are wanting to revert to having workers in the office. He cites certain economic reasons for this.
Employers must allow flexibility
But for me, this simply won’t work longer term. The world has changed. Technology has changed. People’s needs have changed. Employers must allow flexible working. Of course, there are jobs where you need to be present, but for others, people have proven that they can still produce quality output work whilst staying at home and working around their private commitments (childcare, exercise, household matters to name but three).
There are some companies nowadays that operate without a single office.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
