PCS members at the Office for National Statistics have voted to strike after management insisted on office attendance from this month onwards.

Over 73 per cent of staff have voted to down tools over the new policy, which demands 40 per cent physical workplace attendance. 

The union says it has caused considerable disruption, especially for staff with childcare and other care arrangements.

ONS introduced home and hybrid working at the start of the pandemic and was shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Best Flexible Working Initiative.

Staff were said to have been reassured that the arrangements would remain.

PCS say that management has presented a no-evidence-based case and has refused the union’s request to consider a more gradual and flexible transition. 

Its general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “ONS bosses have seriously undermined the trust and goodwill of their staff by seeking to drive this policy through in such a heavy-handed way, heedless of the consequences.

“They now need to immediately pause implementation of the policy and talk to us about reaching a sensible resolution of this issue, which does not carelessly disadvantage staff.”