Metropolitan Police Civilian Staff to Vote on Industrial Action

Non-uniformed personnel working for the Metropolitan Police are currently undergoing a ballot regarding potential strike action. This industrial dispute stems from disagreements concerning office attendance policies. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has stated that its 2,400 members have received directives to return to their workplaces starting in the new year. The union specified that the mandated rise in office presence varies based on the staff member’s role, ranging from 40% to 60%, 60% to 80%, or 80% to 100%. According to the Met Police, the request for staff to spend more time in the office is intended to bolster frontline operations and enhance public confidence. The PCS has a history of similar disputes, with its members at the Office of National Statistics having previously voted for industrial action concerning mandatory office attendance. Additionally, PCS members employed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are advocating for a four-day working week. Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the PCS, commented: “Yet again we are seeing an arbitrary figure chosen to decide how many days a week our members have to come into the office, when they are working perfectly well from home.” She further stated: “There is no evidence people work better in the office. In fact, the opposite is true because workers are more productive when they have a better work-life balance, not having a stressful commute and able to spend more time with their family at home before and after work.” Heathcote also conveyed that it was “not too late” for the Metropolitan Police to withdraw the current policy and instead uphold a “blended working model”. In response, a spokesperson for the Met stated: “Our purpose is to serve London, putting communities and victims at the heart of everything we do.” The spokesperson continued: “Police staff are critical to this mission and we will succeed only by connecting better with the public and our colleagues.” They also affirmed: “If strike action goes ahead we have contingencies in place to ensure we can continue to keep London safe.” The voting process commences on 6 November, and the outcome is anticipated on 10 December.