Try As It May, The UK Government Is Still Struggling With An Office Return

Despite the UK government’s attempt at a grand return to the workplace, many offices remain vacant. 

The back-to-office proposal was intended to encourage employees, both government-affiliated and not, to come back to the workplace and reignite the region’s economy. 

Just six months prior, the UK’s government was seeking to incorporate new legislation that would give workers the right to work-from-home, but now some officials are criticizing the remote work trend. While these critiques haven’t been enough to bring employees back, the Employment Bill has since been put on the backburner. 

Data shows that the Foreign Office reported 61% of staff working from home during the week beginning April 4. Additionally, the Department of Education reported 75% of its employees missing during this time. 

The Department of Health, which had among the most office returnees, saw a 72% attendance rate.  

This low in-person attendance is causing a rippling effect across the office market. Just this week, Deloitte announced that it would be decreasing its 67,000 square foot office on Hardman Street and opting for a 35,000 square foot space on Corporation Street. 

Firms like Deloitte are making office adjustments in preparation for the shift to flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid policies. If this trend continues, the government’s offices may also face a similar future.