Communication whereby the Scottish Government notified people they were to work from home/return to workplaces: FOI release

Information requested

Copies of communication whereby the Scottish Government notified people they were to work from home.

Date of first issue.

Copies of communication whereby the Scottish Government notified people they were to return to workplaces.

Date of latest issue.

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested.

The First Minister set out the request to work from home in her speech on 17 March 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19): First Minister's speech 17 March 2020 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) "People should as far as possible avoid crowded areas and gatherings – that includes bars, restaurants and cinemas. We also want people to use public transport as little as possible, and to work from home if you can."

Guidance was published to support home working on 23 July 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for homeworking - gov.scot (webarchive.org.uk)

Working from home, if possible, was the default position until 25 January 2022 Coronavirus (COVID- 19) update: First Minister's statement – 25 January 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

"It will recommend that, from Monday 31st January, employers should consider implementing hybrid working – following appropriate guidance - with workers spending some time in the office and some time at home.

Now, we would not expect to see a wholesale return to the office next week – indeed, given that the level of infection, though falling, remains high, a mass return at this stage is likely to be counterproductive and indeed to set progress back.

But we know there are many benefits to both employees and employers, and to the economy as a whole, in at least a partial return to the office at this stage. Indeed, many businesses successfully implemented hybrid working last autumn.

And so as part of a phased return to the office, we will again encourage employers to consider hybrid working, and look to them to determine how best to manage this transition in consultation with workers and trade unions."

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