What Bournemouth employers are doing about return to the office

Bournemouth’s biggest private sector employer, JP Morgan, is expecting its 4,000 staff to “work at least some days in the office every week” from next month following the lifting of Plan B restrictions.

A memo to all UK staff said: “After two years of navigating the pandemic, we have become adept at balancing the needs of our clients, our businesses and our employees, always with your safety as a top priority.

"While we will always keep to those principles and remain flexible, it is clear that we are going to need to switch to a more permanent mindset of living with Covid-19.

“Given the improving circumstances, we ask that you now adopt the working patterns that you have agreed in your respective teams, effective February 1. The amount of time spent in the office will vary by business and role but, with the economy opening back up again, we expect that you will work at least some days in the office every week in line with your established pattern.”

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Staff will be required to wear masks in lobbies and lifts and the company is “strongly” encouraging staff to return to the office, but says a vaccination is not required to return. In the US, the bank’s chief executive Jamie Dimon has said unvaccinated staff risk losing their jobs.

Nationwide in Bournemouth

Nationwide Building Society, which has around 900 people attached to its Portman House administration centre in Richmond Hill, introduced a permanent “work from anywhere” policy during the Covid crisis.

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A spokesperson said: “We will continue to see our colleagues adopt a flexible pattern that works for them, the work they’re doing and our organisation. While this enables people to work from home, our people have told us they still want and need face time with colleagues to do their jobs effectively.

“As government guidelines ease, we expect to see more colleagues coming into our offices again, but they may use their time in the office in a different way, whether that’s for collaboration with others, meeting their teams, or even just providing a change of scenery.

“We will continue to be guided by the work and our colleagues, listening to feedback and shaping our approach accordingly.”

Commentators have said extended periods of remote working may have permanently changed the business world.

Janell White, managing director of Bournemouth-based human resources consultancy Trinity HR, said: “We know from global research, that employees want flexibility and agency to work the way they want.

“Yes, of course there have been challenges and sometimes it’s critical for employees to meet in person. But it’s important for leaders to consider that we are not ‘going back’ to the office, we are ‘going forward’ to a new, hybrid work culture.

“Enforcing a rigid return to work approach because restrictions have been lifted, could jeopardise retaining and attracting your talent and ultimately, your competitive advantage.”

She added: “Flexibility must be central to every business strategy today. Work is no longer a ‘place’ – it is what people do. Leaders have to adapt their style, trust their people, give clarity, purpose and people will figure out how to get work done.”