Politics

Rishi Sunak wants everyone to go back to the office but not everyone agrees

<p>Firms are now assessing how to tackle the issue of remote versus office working once lockdown restrictions are eased</p>

Firms are now assessing how to tackle the issue of remote versus office working once lockdown restrictions are eased

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Rishi Sunak has faced some criticism for encouraging people to return to their offices as soon as coronavirus restrictions are lifted on 19 July.

The chancellor told The Telegraph: “I think for young people, especially that ability to be in your office, be in your workplace and learn from others more directly, is something that’s really important and I look forward to us slowly getting back to that.”

In doing so he sparked backlash. Some who believe the restrictions are being lifted too soon expressed concerns about people mixing inside without masks:

Others thought it would cause infections to rise - over 32,000 cases were reported today.

Another point people made was that offices could work with hybrid models with some people working from home and others in the office on a flexible basis:

It is not the first time Sunak has waxed lyrical about the office. In an interview with the Telegraph, in March, Sunak claimed staff may quit their jobs if they are not allowed to work from the office and said that homeworking is no substitute for an office environment with “people riffing off each other”.

He said: “You can’t beat the spontaneity, the team building, the culture that you create in a firm or an organisation from people actually spending physical time together.”

It appeared that not everyone had as strong relationships with their colleagues as Sunak clearly does, and writing on Twitter, various people proceeded to rip into his plans and mock him for overestimated the extent to which people like their offices:

    Others expressed suspicion at his motives:

    While Rishi won the hearts and stomachs of the nation last year by introducing the Eat out to Help Out scheme, it seems that on this occasion his finger is not as firmly on the pulse.

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