WHILE work forges ahead on the extension to Thurrock Council's civic offices, at a cost of at least £10 million, staff inside the existing building have contacted Thurrock Nub News to tell us they have been told to clear their personal effects from the building and they say are being forced to work from home.

The council has confirmed personal belongings will not be allowed to be kept in the building other than what people bring with them on a daily basis, but have denied that workers are being 'forced' to work from home, saying what is happening is simply an extension of previous practice.

Currently, within the building there are dozens of rows and rows of desks over four floors, the large majority of which are now unoccupied despite safeguarding restrictions relating to Covid-19 being lifted.

Several concerned workers have contacted Thurrock Nub News to speak of their disappointment and upset at being forced into working at home – and have told us of the creation of empty office space with hundreds of unused work stations as the council implements its 'Smarter working' strategy.

Initially called 'Agile working' the plan is for the council to reduce the number of people going into the offices on a permanent basis – something of a contradiction to the vision for the post-Covid future spoken about by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Earlier this year he disagreed with the view that future office working and interaction could all be digital, saying: "I know that some people may imagine we've got to prepare for a new age in which people don't move around, do things remotely, they don't commute any more.

"I don't believe it. Not for a moment. In a few short months, if all goes to plan, we in the UK are going to be reopening our economy. And then, believe me, the British people will be consumed once again with their desire for the genuine face-to-face meetings that makes all the difference to the deal or whatever it is."

Not, it appears, in Thurrock where insiders have told us that most workers will now only be expected to go into work for one or two days at most.

Desks are being cleared and this week, as the council began to implement what it now calls 'Smarter working', staff were told they can no longer keep personal items in the offices.

One upset worker told us: "We have been told to clear out our lockers, clear our desks, and remove our belongings from the offices. It's clear that the powers that be don't want us to be in the offices any more. They are making us unwelcome.

"Working from home may suit some people but myself, and a lot of my fellow workers, want to go in to work but we are clearly being pushed towards not going in. We have adapted previously to hot-desking, so we do move around desks but most people who go into an office to work want to make that workplace feel welcoming and give it a personal touch, in some small way, whether it be having a picture on a desk or some other memento.

"Aside from that personal touch we believe the interaction within the department is important and it is more efficient. Yes, we got through Covid by going digital from home but it has not been a great success – particularly in Thurrock where the IT has not been up to it and the broadband in the area isn't good enough.

"Going on Teams or Zoom is not like having a chat with the person in the next desk and sharing ideas. Teamwork is where a lot of creativity comes from, not to mention mentoring and support. How can you do that when you are ten miles apart?

"It may be OK for the brass hats in leafy Surrey who don't want to be bothered to come into Thurrock but those of us who live and work here believe it is right that we should be in the office, available to the public and doing our jobs as a team, not individuals."

Another worker believes there may be a cynical aspect to the action taken this week, saying: "The council has said it wants to cut 500 jobs. So splitting us up and making us work from home makes it a lot harder for those of us who might want to stick together and fight this.

"Where is the care? Where is the compassion? – And where is the regard for working for the people of Thurrock, not just making it easier to make budget cuts? Why are we paying for the council rulers' mistakes?"

Thurrock Council, which has set up a time-lapse camera and a webpage to showcase the building of its office extension, has responded by saying that no-one is being instructed to work from home.

Cllr Jack Duffin, cabinet member for central services, said: "No one is being forced to work from home. The council has had a flexible working policy for several years and is simply progressing further smarter working plans.

"Agile working arrangements will mean that staff will no longer require a permanent locker so it is not a good use of space to provide lockers for every member of staff.

"Instead there will be adequate facilities, including day lockers, to allow anyone in the office to safely store personal belongings when they choose to work from the office."

Also see: Keep a close eye on new offices.