Government guidance that everyone in England who can work from home should work from end has now ended ahead of the scrapping of Covid Pkan B rules on Thursday, January 27.
Covid restrictions across England, including mask wearing in public and using a CVovid passport to access some venues end this week.
But two thirds of us do not want to return to offices, according to research by building management firm Infogrid, after work from home rules were put back in place in December.
According to The Mirror, if your company requires you to come into the office, they can only make you if your contract stipulates working in an office.
A spokesman for Citizens Advice said: "You can ask to keep working from home, but that doesn't mean your employer has to agree.
"Start by having an open conversation with your employer about your wishes, and consider making a flexible working request."
Employers are duty-bound to make the work environment as safe as possible, so they should consider minimising visitors and improving ventilation, as well as considering the use of one-way systems and extra cleaning.
A spokesman for union the TUC said: "If your boss is asking you to return to the workplace or stay at home and you don’t feel comfortable, you should speak to other members and your union rep immediately - they may feel the same about the situation.
"If you raise the issue collectively with your employer, they’re much more likely to listen."
Charlotte Davies, Career Expert at LinkedIn, said: “With the Government’s guidance to work from home lifting, many people will be readjusting to working in an office again.
"People’s personal situations can really affect how they feel about the latest transition. For some, returning to the office will be a welcome change, while for others it will be something they’re feeling a little apprehensive about.
"Our latest UK research from December 2021 - before WFH became government guidance again - showed that 23% of workers felt their confidence had improved since returning to the office after working from home, while 21% said the return had a negative impact on their confidence.
"LinkedIn also recently uncovered that working remotely has been a real gift for over a quarter (27%) of workers in the UK who consider themselves introverts, as their confidence has soared in their own space and away from the office.
"Meanwhile for others, being away from their family when they return to the office is going to be something that concerns them. We found that one in four parents (27%) are worried about seeing less of their children, particularly around the breakfast or lunch table.
"With any change in our day-to-day often leading to us having to reset and get used to a new routine, here are some tips on how to best adjust to getting back into the office:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a working arrangement that works for you: LinkedIn’s latest UK research reveals career confidence is on the rise, with 9 in 10 workers feeling confident in their current roles but only 3 in 10 workers saying they’d now be more confident to ask for flexible working, so try not to be too nervous to ask for what suits you. The pandemic has changed how we work forever, with many employers realising that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to work anymore. Be clear about what has worked best for you in the past and why; the likelihood is that your employer will be considerate of your requirements and want to help find the best arrangement for you. We’re also seeing high numbers of hybrid roles being advertised on LinkedIn, so if you’re one of the 67% considering changing jobs this year, now is certainly a good time to look around for a role that is more in line with your work preferences.
- Embrace your commute again: The time we spend commuting to work can provide a great opportunity to create productive habits - so learn to re-embrace this time. Getting yourself into the work mindset, such as listening to a career podcast or a LinkedIn Learning course, can prime your brain for productivity so you feel ready to tackle the day when you step into the office. On the flip side, using the commute home to switch off can be a great way to unwind after a busy day in the office. It’s all about finding out what works for you.
- Don’t forget what you’ve learnt: For many people who’ve been working remotely on and off for the past two years, you’ll have learnt a lot about protecting your free time. Remember that going back to the office doesn’t need to change this and you can still maintain or adapt your WFH routine. For example, if going for a lunchtime walk in the fresh air helped you to refresh and reset in the middle of the day, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t continue this habit when you’re in the office.
- Be considerate of others: If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the past two years, it’s that the traditional 9-5 office job doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. As we return to the office, remember that everyone is different and has different circumstances. 44% of UK professionals surveyed recently by LinkedIn think those who work from the office are more likely to be favoured by their boss, so if there are members of your team who work remotely while you are back in the office, schedule some virtual catch ups to make sure you can maintain those working relationships and make sure everyone feels a part of the team.
- Make the most of those water cooler moments: One of the things you might have missed while WFH is those water cooler moments with your colleagues. More than a third (37%) of under 35 year olds said socialising with colleagues was the main thing they’ve missed out on during the pandemic. Now we’re heading back to the office, remember how valuable these chats can be in sharing ideas or simply feeling closer as a team. And if you’re working remotely, don’t feel afraid to schedule virtual coffees to keep in touch with different members of your team.
