Home workers should get back to the ‘real world’

Workers must get back to the ‘real world’ by returning to the office according to Dudley Council leader, Patrick Harley.

Cllr Harley, was responding to questions from his political opposite number during October’s meeting of the authority.

Labour’s Cllr Adam Aston quizzed Cllr Harley on whether his instruction to staff telling them to work from a council building for three days per week complied with legal requirements.

Cllr Aston said: “Many employees who had been working remotely for years, some for over a decade, suddenly found their working lives changed almost overnight.

“This isn’t about resisting change; it’s about ensuring that change is fair, lawful, and respectful of the people who keep this council running every single day.”

Cllr Harley told the meeting he believed staff had been briefed correctly and buildings were safe. He added: “It’s not about change, it’s about returning to normality, it’s about returning to the real world.

“People did have to change their habits during the pandemic but that is now gone and it is vital the whole world goes back to normal and that includes working in the office.

“I don’t believe any workforce, not just our own, is completely and utterly productive when they are working from home. “I also don’t believe it is good for people’s mental health.”

Cllr Aston pressed his point with a further question on parking and its impact on the pockets of council staff. He said: “A consequence of a return to the office is the associated costs, the cost of parking which can amount to £800 a year for our lowest paid staff given the fact that many council buildings do not have their own car parks.

“Will the leader commit to ensuring Dudley MBC staff are not plunged into parking poverty?”

Cllr Harley was asked to ensure there was proper consultation with staff and unions, he said he would be happy to review that aspect of the policy.