Civil Service Sticks to Three-Day Office Rule Despite Staff Backlash

Civil service leaders defend the policy as balanced, while unions and staff report decreased productivity and dissatisfaction.

The head of the civil service, Sir Chris Wormald, affirmed the three-day-a-week office requirement, stating it strikes the right balance between collaboration and flexibility.
A survey of 7,000 civil servants found that 78% believe the rule is unhelpful, with 61% reporting reduced productivity and no improvement in team collaboration.
Unions have criticized the policy as fostering a 'culture of presenteeism,' advocating for more flexible, hybrid working arrangements tailored to specific teams.
Staff complaints include overcrowded offices, unreliable technology for hybrid meetings, and difficulty finding suitable workspaces for collaboration or calls.
Despite widespread dissatisfaction, civil service leaders maintain the policy to support in-person relationship building and the training of new recruits.