Ditch the PJs and go back to work
sHoULD civil servants return to the real world or continue working from home? surely Richard Littlejohn doesn’t really believe thousands of civil servants like getting up late, sitting in their PJs on the settee with a coffee and a couple of chocolate Hobnobs before switching on their laptops! After all, the alternative is to set the alarm early, dress smartly and hurry to the station in all weathers to commute on crowded trains and Tubes. They then have to work steadily at their office desk until 5pm before making the return journey home. Working from home has meant they have saved money on rail tickets, lunches and suits — imagine the dilemma they face on how they will spend the extra cash in their pockets.
KATE MANNING, Wittersham, Kent. IT’s disgraceful that the civil service union doesn’t want working from home to stop. While the NHs, transport and shop workers continued to provide an excellent service, have this privileged lot been working in the same way as they would have done in the office? There have been so many complaints from those unable to get satisfactory answers to their tax, pension and DVLA queries. civil servants need to go back to the office and do what they get so well paid for.
JOHN ROBERTS, Bradford, W. Yorks. FRoM WFH (working from home) to GBTW (get back to work). Key workers have kept cupboards filled, engineers ensured the wi-fi was working and delivery drivers dropped off dinner and treats while those working from home saved money. After almost two years, it’s time to set the alarm clock and return to the office. The country is waking up and we all need to join in.
SARAH WILLIAMS, Hastings, E. Sussex. WHEN I was a civil servant in London, I had a boss who was almost invisible to his staff. His door was always shut. All his communication was by email or phone. It was the worst three years of my career. I found it impossible to receive guidance, advice or direction and my work suffered as a result. Working from home is not beneficial for employees. I would have thought the unions would want their members to be treated kindly and helpfully by their bosses. They do not seem to be aware of how impersonal and degrading working from home can be.
RODGER RUSE, Plymouth, Devon. WHAT struck me most about the report on the low number of civil servants returning to work was why so many are needed in the first place. How can there be 2,000-plus in the Department for Education when schools seem to run themselves? I can only think that civil servants spend their time writing to one another!