Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

I'd say a lot of people will be hearing similar over the next short period. And you're right that it is disappointing when other departments are going as few as one day in office per week.

Get on mobility, simple as that. I'd happily move to a department that was more flexible. Two days/three days from home is a big difference to me.

Our canteen consists of a fridge and microwave :(

I agree. I think some people are vieiwing it relative to fully remote (which was never going to happen) compared with the pre-covid norm of 5 days in-office and not viewing it with that perspective.

If absolutely everything in the work day can be done completely electronically, there's no justification for forcing people back into an office for more than 1-2 days. With 1-2 days, you're getting at least some justifiable positives like just being in-person with your coworkers for the social aspect of that, but really anymore than that is just pointless and down to some weird prick of a manager choosing to force their staff just because they can; a manager on higher wages who won't be feeling the pinch with inflation as their staff. The overwhelming majority of people would be happy with 1-2 days, more happy with 1 from what I've heard personally, so after a **** two years with covid where services were generally kept going strongly in many departments, the staff should be rewarded where possible with what would make them happy: 1-2 days

As somebody who started WFH I find it impossible to work in the office. The chit chat is non stop it's nice but my god its so hard to focus when you've have 20 odd people talking about 10 different things around you.

I often grab lunch outside core hours and come back to work when everyone else is away because otherwise I'd never get anything done.

That's it totally, we mostly come in on different days so don't really see each other the days we are in, half of the time I am sitting in the office on my own..or with one other very talkative colleague. When this happens I just have to be rude and put the headphones on most of the time - but even at that if they don't have me to talk to they spend the day talking on their phone or to any passer by!

If they want me in 1/2 days a week as least have a reason for it...a team meeting that day etc...but no...it's literally just for bums on seats since the return to the office.

That makes sense at least to have one team day. We don't have our official blended policy yet...so will wait to see if there is any logic to when we are being asked to come in but currently we couldn't have everyone in the same day due to desks/space as we have a small office.

Not a public sector issue- should apply to all staff, public and private, who don’t need the vehicle to do their job.