A columnist has defended his decision to work from home, while simultaneously advocating for a return to office work for many civil servants, arguing that years of in-person experience have provided him with essential career skills.
In an opinion piece, Jonathan Brocklebank acknowledges his position could be seen as hypocritical, but maintains that his career has been built on decades of in-office work. He posits that this experience taught him crucial skills such as working under pressure, effective communication with senior colleagues, navigating office politics, and the benefits of teamwork.
Brocklebank suggests that the physical presence in an office fosters a sense of shared purpose and efficiency that remote work cannot replicate. He emphasizes the development of interpersonal skills, like reading a room, diplomacy, and understanding when to speak and when to listen, which he believes are diminishing among younger generations. He also highlights the importance of learning from constructive criticism and observing experienced colleagues, informal mentoring that he feels is lost when working remotely.
The author contrasts his situation with that of Scottish Government civil servants, citing low attendance rates at government offices. He notes that by January, only 12.2 percent of core staff at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh were attending the office, despite a directive for at least 40 percent of contracted hours to be spent there. This, he reports, has been linked to declining staff morale, with some workers reportedly deeming the directive an "attack on human rights."
Brocklebank expresses dismay at what he perceives as a sense of entitlement among some taxpayers-funded workers, suggesting that more time spent in a traditional office environment before concluding they should be spared the obligation to attend might moderate their views. He asserts that while he works from his home office, he has fulfilled his obligations over a long career, weathered workplace challenges, and contributed to city centers, thus earning the right to express his views.
He concludes that younger workers, by hiding away at home, are losing a sense of proportion and professional resilience, as well as years of unofficial mentoring. He contrasts this with his own formative years, where learning was gained by listening to senior colleagues and being present in the newsroom.