Yesterday a message went out from DWP permanent secretary Peter Schofield to all hybrid workers at the department finally instructing them to turn up to the office 60% of the time. Quite some time after the Tories mandated it when they were in government…
Senior civil service staff were told to come in 60% of the time since November 2023 and now it’s time for AA to Grade 6 workers to come in from time to time. Hilariously civil servants have been given until September to start doing so…
Schofield suggests that civil servants can stay at home if it’s too much of a challenge to turn up: “We nevertheless understand that, for some colleagues, the requirement to spend additional time in the office may present some challenges for personal reasons.” For the rest he warns that some people will have to come in on Mondays and Fridays. That sound you can hear is DWP staff spitting out their coffee…
Read the full announcement below:
“For the attention of DWP colleagues who are hybrid workers
In my announcement in November 2023 I explained that it was our aspiration – in time – for most hybrid workers in the department to work from the office at least 60% of the time.
Since early 2024, Senior Civil Servants (SCS) in DWP have been asked to work in person with colleagues at a government building or on official business for more than 60% of their worktime. This reflects the position for the majority of colleagues across the Civil Service.
I am now asking all hybrid working colleagues from AA to Grade 6 to start working from the office for 60% of their worktime from Monday 1 September 2025, bringing a more consistent approach to in-office attendance for hybrid workers across the department. This is in line with our commitment to give 3 months’ notice ahead of such changes.
The Executive Team and I believe that to best deliver for the people we serve, and to best support one another, an increase to our office attendance requirement is the right thing for DWP. Indeed, many of you in customer- facing roles already spend all or the vast majority of your working time in a DWP building and I am grateful for the support you provide to customers every day.
We nevertheless understand that, for some colleagues, the requirement to spend additional time in the office may present some challenges for personal reasons. We are also aware that some colleagues will have reasonable adjustments in place, and these will remain unchanged. If these circumstances apply to you, you should talk to your line manager. As a department, we have extensive policies in place for any colleagues who may need some support in transitioning to the new requirement.
I am asking line managers of hybrid workers across DWP to support their teams over the coming months to move to a 60% in-office attendance. Teams will need to work together to spread attendance across the week – including Mondays and Fridays, if these are working days for you – with arrangements managed locally.”
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”