As you know for a number of years we have chosen to close our offices between Christmas and New Year with employees taking annual leave during this time. Previously during this period there had only ever been a skeleton staff, with many employees requesting time off. There are some frontline services that have always continued to run during this period.

It has been agreed that, given the hybrid working arrangements, hybrid workers can choose to work from home during the three days between Christmas and New Year rather than taking leave.

If employees choose to do this, they will need manager approval and sufficient work to cover the full working period recognising that support services will not be available. It is useful to highlight that where staff are working, there may be the need for managers to be available to manage any emergencies or for example any absences/receive calls from employees phoning in sick.

Employees wishing to work on these days should speak to their manager in the first instance.