Civil service union warns over wages cuts for homeworkers

The PCS civil service union has warned of possible action if ministers try to cut the pay of civil servants over office openings.

Last month, anonymous government briefings to the media suggested civil servants’ pay could be docked if staff refuse to return to the office. 

One Cabinet minister said civil servants should have their pay docked if they refuse to return to the office after working from home for so long during the pandemic. However, this was subsequently rejected by business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. 

Responding to the reports, a PCS spokesperson said: “It is the height of cowardice for ministers to anonymously brief the media about docking civil servants’ pay for not returning to the office.

“PCS is engaged in serious discussions with the Cabinet Office about how we can embrace the post pandemic world with hybrid working and keeping staff safe. Any attempt to dock pay for civil servants for any reason would be met with a swift industrial response, potentially including strike action.”