Hybrid working and workers’ wellbeing

Conference heard how Labour’s retention of the previous government’s 60% civil service office attendance policy was bad for workers and bad for departments.

Ric from R&C West Mercia proposed the motion, saying: “We are all different with different needs. There’s so much evidence that hybrid and home working works – lower sickness absence, higher productivity.”

Andy from Greater Manchester DWP branch added:

“Study after study show that flexibility in working patterns retain staff. This attendance policy is all just a ploy to help the landlord class continue to make money.”

Pete from HMRC Merseyside said: “We have a lot members who can’t fit in offices and we have managers who force people into the office who are better off at home. We can all work together face to face or at home. We have some sections with a 60% mandate and others with 20%. But if you want to  work in the office or at home you should be allowed to choose rather than have a one-size-fits-all.”

Angelo from DWP South London supported the motion: “In my office there is not enough space for 40% let alone 60%. There is no thought to planning underpinning the decision which is purely political and designed to please the right wing readers of the Daily Mail. We cannot stand by while this attack on workers persists. Hybrid working offers significant benefits and to impose a blanket 60% ignores the diverse needs of members and the varying operational requirements cross different employers.”

Ash from Ofgem spoke about their branch’s activism: “Our members are proud to be Ofgem employers and care deeply about tackling climate justice and energy costs. Many are in fuel poverty and forced to rely on crisis loans., or have disabilities which limit commuting or ability to be away from home for long periods of time. This is why we’re balloting for strike action. Managers enforcing arbitrary requirements without consultation, regardless of the physical desk capacity. The fight continues and we will take on industrial action if we have to.”

Sarah from the Independent Office for Police Conduct has balloted for action: “My branch has been on action short of a strike since last month. Hybrid working, flexibility working and home working are not a perk - they are an essential part of our job for some colleagues to be able to stay employed. Our ballot had a really high turnout with majority support for strikes and action short of a strike, we’re expecting a new offer from management this week and if they don’t pull back over 40% then we should go on strike.”

The motion was agreed unanimously. The NEC was instructed to demand that Cabinet Office remove the arbitrary policy, allow for flexibility across employers and support branches mobilising for industrial action.

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