With a wealth of commentary available for employers (and
their employees) about how to deal with employee anxiety
surrounding a return to the workplace in the post-COVID world,
little thought has been given to the challenges faced by employers
whose employees want to return to the workplace, contrary to
Government guidance.
During the first lockdown in March 2020, many employers who had
to send employees home on short notice received requests from
individuals wanting to return to the office – principally
from those who relished the routine and relative stress-free
atmosphere of the workplace.
Whilst applications had to be considered on a case by case basis
(taking account of the nature of the employee's role, whether
it could be performed from home and whether the employee had any
medical reasons for the request), it was, relatively speaking, an
easier decision to make. After all, suitable precautions could be
taken to minimise infection in an office environment,
