ONS Staff Given the Option to Work Remotely for 2 Days a Week despite Order to Work in Office
The indefinite industrial action is set to commence on May 8, impacting ONS offices located in Newport, Titchfield, London, Darlington, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Approximately 1,200 employees at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will defy an instruction to work in the office two days a week, starting with industrial action next month.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union stated that many members are willing to spend more time in the office, but there is widespread discontent over the new directive’s arbitrary nature.
In a March ballot, the union’s ONS members voted 73.45 percent in favor of a strike and 83.84 percent in support of action short of a strike, on a 50 percent turnout, PCS reported earlier this month.
On Friday, the union announced that ONS staff in Newport, Titchfield, London, Darlington, Manchester, and Edinburgh will engage in indefinite industrial action starting May 8, refusing to comply with the new mandate requiring at least 40 percent of their time in the office.
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote stated, “Our members are highly skilled and deserving of fair treatment, demonstrating for years their ability to successfully manage hybrid working.”
The union criticized management for the lack of evidence-based justification for the return to office policy and their refusal to delay the rule change that has caused frustration among staff.
An ONS spokesperson previously mentioned that there are contingency plans in place to mitigate any disruptions and maintain essential services in case of industrial action.
