50 of the Biggest UK Employers Have “No Plans” to Reopen Offices

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26 August 2020

Research from the BBC shows that fifty of the biggest UK employers have no plans to return all staff to the office full-time in the near future.

The BBC questioned 50 employers ranging from banks to retailers to ask about their future working plans.

Of the 50 companies interviewed,  24 firms said they had no plans in place to return workers to the office, but 20 have opened their offices for staff unable to work from home.

The BBC has not named any of the companies involved in the research

What are The Key Takeaways From the Study?

• 3 firms have brought staff back to work, with no plans for more
• 24 firms said they had no plans in place to return workers to the office
• 20 have opened their offices for staff unable to work from home
• 20 firms have plans to reopen offices, gradually

Back in July, the CEO of Barclays said the firm would look at a more “de-centralised approach to staff working”, and many other large businesses seem likely to follow. Reports suggest that Google will not reopen any of their offices until at least July 2021, and BP is considering closing half of its properties in some locations.

How this will affect the commercial property market remains to be seen, but it seems likely a reduced footfall in cities will have an effect. ThisWeekinFM recently reported that Covent Garden's overall property value has decreased by 17 per cent (like-for-like) since 31 December 2019.

Picture: A photograph showing a communal office meeting table

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 26 August 2020

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