THE majority of poll responders in Reading believe it is too soon for people to be returning to offices.

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement last week that as of August employers can decide whether or not to reopen offices after months of staff working from home, a question was put to The Chronicle readers.

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It asked 'should employers be able to decide when staff stop working from home?'

Of the responses, 55 per cent voted 'Nobody should be returning to the office yet', while 24 per cent disagreed entirely, voting: 'Yes - lockdown should come to an end'.

Another 22 per cent believe the decision should lie with individuals based on circumstances.

They said: 'No - they [people] could have higher risk factors and should decide themselves'.

Reading Chronicle:

Mark Palmer, from Reading, said of the news: "Will we see court cases against employers when staff are forced to return to unsafe workplaces and get sick?" while Louise Matron Keane asked if it would be deemed 'corporate manslaughter'.

In another question posted to The Chronicle's Facebook page, 80 per cent of people said it 'doesn't seem safe' to be returning to the office.

Responding to the question 'Following the recent government announcement, would you happy returning to the office soon?' a high majority voted 'no, it doesn't seem safe.'

The other 20 per cent voted: 'Yes, I hate working from home.'

Reading Chronicle:


In his recent address, the Prime Minister said it will be up to employers in England to discuss with workers whether it is safe to return from August 1.

From that date, most remaining leisure centres will also reopen and indoor performances with live audiences can resume if pilots are successful, while trials will begin for sports stadiums to reopen from October.

Mr Johnson - who also immediately scrapped the advice to avoid public transport - said Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty had taken part in a Cabinet discussion before the relaxation was announced.

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In an attempt to prevent another nationwide shutdown, Mr Johnson also said that local authorities in England will have new powers from Saturday to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.