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3 weeks ago I wrote this in response to a poor thought through article in @Telegraph on return to office verses working at home
Now with the increase in cases we need to return (no pun intended) to a nuanced discussion
It is known that working from home reduces interaction and therefore is an effective social distancing measure - it was the great success of March Lockdown
But we also know that mental and physical deteriorates for some people from isolation and going to the office can be the only respite
Hence what Government should do is encourage employers to make premises #Covid19UK secure Such premises would then be safest place to interact as offices must comply with 2m social distancing
Employers should be encouraged to apply flexibility so someone can do part of the day in the office and part at home so as to minimise interactions when travelling (most need public transport)
Arguably employers should also try and support provision of food on site to minimise the number of riskier locations staff have to visit
However, employers should also facilitate home working by being cogniscent lockdown harder when not sunny April/May - a whole day of Teams/Zoom meetings will be mentally much harder when dark before 8am and after 4pm
Hence employers may need to encourage to take say 90 minutes for lunch and get some day light. For example start at 8:30am work to 12:30pm then in afternoon 2-5pm. Certainly on my aims
If premises are #Covid19UK secure employers should encourage staff to work where they feel safest - no presentism pressure to come into office but similarly no edict to stay away
A balance of couple of days in the office a fortnight with rest at home will work for most
Feels so much like a prototype for the results of the working from home evolution https://twitter.com/guy_stallard/status/1300187669247426566
The challenge is current Government does not do nuance - message has got to be “your and your colleagues/friends safety comes first” Work in the place that makes you safest but which ever you choose remember social distance, wash hands and cover face
