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Things remain quiet in the offices of the British administration. That annoys the efficiency minister. But many are enjoying the new flexibility.
From today’s perspective, the instruction that Boris Johnson gave to the British on March 24, 2020 sounds slightly surreal: “You are not allowed to leave your house from today.” This turned apartments into classrooms, gymnasiums and offices overnight. Masks were allowed to leave the cell at home for a maximum of one hour a day. The streets were empty and the trains turned into ghost trains.
In the meantime, however, normality has returned. The subways are full again in the morning. Likewise pubs and offices. No, not quite the latter. In public administration, the return from home office does not seem to be working out to this day. A survey at the beginning of June showed that around half of the civil servants still mostly work from home.
Home office under criticism
A fact that enraged the government’s chief human resources officer, Jacob Rees-Mogg. “It’s not serious. Especially not in the middle of an economic crisis. Physical presence is a prerequisite in an efficient and citizen-oriented state. And the fact that people work from home mainly on Mondays and Fridays is an indication that it is primarily about optimizing one’s own needs.”
Physical presence is a prerequisite in an efficient and citizen-oriented state.
The harsh words didn’t stop there. The Brexit and Efficiency Minister inspected the administration and left pre-printed notes on empty desks: “I was here, but you weren’t. I hope to see you on my next visit.” Jacob Rees-Mogg’s forays did not go down well with state officials.
Home office means flexibility.
The professor of sociology of work Jane Perry has given a lot of thought to the home office. Home office is much more than just being able to work at home. «Working from home means flexibility. People can do their work when it suits them best. This is not tied to a time or place. Not all people function the same. We should retain this flexibility.” A mixed form can be a challenge for companies.
The British business journalist and entrepreneur Luke Johnson even considers the home office to be overwhelming. He expressed concerns to the BBC that working from home could create a new two-tier society. It can also isolate people and make them lonely.
The critics of the home office recently received support from the conservative “Daily Telegraph”. The newspaper published a survey that concluded that half of the do-it-yourselfers surveyed do not even have a desk, and 10 percent would even work in bed.
The work sociologist Perry thinks little of such polemics. «Home office is not a trend or whim, it was decreed by the government. You shouldn’t forget that despite all the criticism and polemics.”
A lot has changed since March 24, 2020. The commuters are on the move again. Johnson survived the pandemic but not his own stay-at-home rules. And even the efficiency minister’s odd rambles will come to an end. Because with that With the resignation of Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg will also have to look for another job – and a new office.