Back to the office: Business groups echo Sunak’s concerns about young workers
Business groups have echoed Rishi Sunak’s warning that “young people in particular” are missing out on “valuable” experience through remote working.
In an interview with LinkedIn the Chancellor cautioned that remote working can be a poor substitute for in-person workplaces. His comments follow the decision to lift guidance to “work from home where possible” on July 19th in a bid to encourage a return to the workplace over Summer.
The move is backed by business leaders many of whom have stressed the importance of in-person work.
Roger Barker, Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors, said: “for younger people at the start of their working lives many will be relishing the opportunity to get back into the workplace.
“At the beginning of your career, in particular, that face-to-face contact with your peers and senior colleagues can stand you in good stead, helping to build relationships and benefit from informal, on-the-job learning that can be so much more difficult virtually.”
Likewise, Jane Gratton, from the British Chambers of Commerce emphasised the social and mental-health benefits of returning to the workplace. Gratton said: “For young people, especially those starting their careers, spending time with colleagues in the workplace is important.”
The National Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses, Mike Cherry, said that it was “understandable that some businesses and employees may be cautious about returning to the office” given the risk to health and as a result of disruption caused by self-isolation.
However, he too highlighted the “value” of “creativity and team-building that arises from in-person collaboration” and said that “young people who have entered the world of work over the last 18 months will have distinct needs.”
The groups did however caution against mandated time in the office, preferring that employers and employees work together as the pandemic begins to wane.
Read more: Rishi Sunak: For young people, working from home is no substitute for office