Civil servants must work in office 'two days a week'

Many civil servants began working from home during the coronavirus pandemic

Civil servants in Northern Ireland are being told to work at least two days a week in the office.

Many civil servants began working from home during the coronavirus pandemic and the revised policy will be implemented across all Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) departments from September.

It requires staff to attend their designated workplace for "at least 40% of their contractual working hours each week". That equates to at least two days out of a standard five-day working week.

Trade union representatives described the move as "disappointing", but Stormont's Department of Finance (DoF) said it followed a formal consultation process.

There are more than 24,000 staff across the NICS, making it one of Northern Ireland's largest employers.

It is understood hybrid working arrangements would have previously been agreed between different managers and their staff

Maria Morgan, deputy general secretary of the trade union Nipsa, said they have "consistently opposed the introduction of a mandatory 40% office attendance requirement".

"We maintain that the current hybrid arrangements are working well and meeting business needs while supporting staff flexibility," she said.

She said "accommodation constraints" in some locations "may make increased office attendance impractical".

In a letter to members seen by BBC News NI, Ms Morgan also expressed concern over the impact on staff with disabilities.

She said there was a "need to ensure that reasonable adjustments are treated separately from hybrid working arrangements".

The union called for the plans to be delayed "to allow for proper preparation and communication".

Enough room?

In a statement, DoF said the NICS hybrid working policy implemented in 2022 was intended to be "regularly reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of the civil service".

"A review of the hybrid working policy has been completed, involving formal consultation with recognised trade unions," a spokeswoman added.

"The updated policy will be implemented across all NICS departments during September 2025 with full implementation expected by end of October 2025.

"As a result of the revised policy, staff engaged in hybrid working must attend their designated workplace for at least 40% of their contractual working hours each week.

"For those with alternative working patterns, this requirement will be calculated on a pro-rata basis."

The NICS is in the process of reducing its office estate by 40% by selling buildings and ending leases.

A Stormont committee in May heard concerns that the NICS "would not have the space" to accommodate a larger return-to-work policy.

But the DoF spokeswoman said: "The NICS office estate can accommodate the hybrid working policy workplace attendance requirements which will be managed locally by departments/business areas."