Surely the minister for government efficiency should be ensuring that the civil service taps as much national talent as possible and fulfils the spirit and letter of equal opportunities legislation, not returning us to the factory hours of the 19th century (Jacob Rees-Mogg says civil servants must return to the office, 19 April).
Traditional set-ups tend to favour men, particularly at the top. The rigidity of the traditional working day makes it harder for parents (most often women) to re-enter the workforce until their children are old enough for paid childcare. For some the cost is so prohibitive that it delays their return much longer.
There are other groups we don’t consider enough, such as carers, who could live a life beyond their responsibilities if they were allowed to work more flexibly. Then there are the clinically vulnerable, left behind and marginalised because now there are not sufficient mitigations against Covid infection.
The career prospects of those not visible in the office can suffer, but for those not even in work, promotion is even further away. Working from home allows many people without Mr Rees-Mogg’s privileges the chance to contribute to the economy in a financially viable way and ensure their own economic independence.
Yvonne Williams
Ryde, Isle of Wight
• Jacob Rees-Mogg wants civil servants to return to the office because not doing so harms the economy of town centres. What has it got to do with him where they spend their money? Why should they not support their local shops? Are civil servants expected to, on their own, prop up city centre shops? What about the extra pollution and traffic congestion, extra stress, and loss of family time caused by travelling? Here’s an idea: pay them in tokens they can spend only in certain shops, like the Victorian mill owners he models himself on.
Richard Davies
Leeds
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