REMOTE POSSIBILITY

Readers had no time for the opinions of an unnamed minister who said civil servants who work from home should get a pay cut to balance out savings on commuting costs.

“A pay cut in return for using our own utilities, power and other facilities?

Yes of course, said no-one, ever,” Nick Townsend said.

“My productivity has increased dramatically (the gits can check my stats to see that) since WFH,” Peter Galley added. “Clueless buffoon whose alleged education is clearly severely lacking.”

Nick Parker commented: “Civil servants have grafted over the last year whether at home or in the physical workplace to create the furlough system, advise on safe working, help people facing redundancies, deal with insolvencies, procure PPE and testing, etc. They deserve a 10% pay rise to make up for a decade of austerity, not pay cuts.”

Peter Drummond added: “This government have absolutely no idea of the worth of this ‘no. 1’ civil service.”

And Norman Plumpton-walsh said: “Remote working will save the government money.” shouldn’t have to take someone to have to self-certify the first seven days and then be signed off for anything further when they experience loss and require/would like time off to physically and emotionally recover (sadly, I speak from personal experience),” Alison Walker said.

“Totally agree this kind of policy is long overdue.

The trauma of miscarriage is very hard to deal with for both parents but especially for the mother,” Anthony McLoughlin wrote.

“Fully support this, so long overdue,” Janet Costelloe said. “This and also peri/ menopause – both natural (although heartbreaking for miscarriage (personal experience also)) stages of a woman’s cycle and women shouldn’t feel embarrassed, alone and/ or scared of how it could be perceived by others especially now that we’re all expected to work later in our lives.”

Martin Clements commented: “As a former civil servant I’d be disappointed if one of my line manager’s didn’t use their own discretion under the existing special leave policy available to most departments already.” had was at the Civil Service College in Sunningdale. Alas, sold off,” Helga Edstrom said. “Sunningdale had some amazing women only courses. I made some lasting friends from them. I was also asked to help design and deliver ‘how to be a minister’ courses and induction for new MP courses. Hysterical. But the food was always very good.”

Peter Topping said the news was “interesting” and added: “In the programme leadership/SRO training world I’m hearing that the emphasis will be more on ‘hard’ skills like knowing what to do when a programme is burning through its cash and kicking the benefits can down the road.”

It is not just civil servants who need tailored training, Maxine Leyland said. “When are the current cabinet and their ministers going to develop these skills?” she asked. and as a team, we needed to be able to answer that question for every single meeting that went into the diary.

“He recognised the value of all, especially the junior members of the team and treated them with the highest respect and gratitude – absolutely brilliant man to work for.”

Sue Hurley also applauded Hurd’s sign, saying: “It reinforces the need to have a well structured agenda and a pre read in plenty of time before the meeting to allow your directors to prepare. Preparation is key and will inevitably cut down on unnecessary over run and allow your director’s work schedule for the day to run smoothly and on time.”