Originally Posted by
Ollie the Optimist
There is a clear difference between flexible working and mandatory working at home.
Flexible working is a good thing, there are benefits to being in office & also time at home which as you say saves on commuting time, more time with family etc. However, while in the city, the busiest days are Tuesday - Thursday, flexible working does mean most places are open all week. This means restaurants, pubs, shops are all trading and yes footfall might be lower on a Monday or Friday but htey are still trading. It also means jobs such as receptionists remain as offices are usually open every day.
Mandatory working at home which some are calling for is a different ball game. While i can work at home with little impact on my work (albeit being in the city makes life easier) there will be a major impact on the shops, bars, restaurants etc as no one will be there to use them. Receptionists, security guards etc will all struggle as well as many were furloughed during the work from home period. So if people are forced to work at home again for a period of time, many industries will suffer. Those restaurants & shops lose that footfall, people will lose jobs as businesses close.
Doubtful that furlough will come back so you cant have a country where for the winter, we just shut down vast swathes of buisnesses and expect things to be ok. There are huge consequences to a decision like that.