WFH not an option, Reform mayor tells candidates

Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns has announced all her newly hired staff will be unable to work from home.

She posted a meme on social media site X of the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon character Squidward next to a gravestone with the words "Remote work, 2020 – 2024" written on it.

She said the combined authority has vacancies but added that in line with her election promise "all roles require working in the office and an end to working from home".

However, Lincolnshire County Council - also run by Reform - confirmed it is not asking employees to return to the office.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Reform Councillor Danny Brookes said on Friday working from home would continue.

He told the authority's environment committee: "We are investigating every avenue to save money for the taxpayer. Anything to be announced will be in the budget."

Council employees are currently allowed to divide their time between home and office, where appropriate, as part of its smarter working policy.

According to the council, most business meetings are conducted on Microsoft Teams to reduce business costs, time and the carbon emissions of commuting.

Reform leader Nigel Farage had previously urged councils to scrap work-from-home policies, claiming it would boost productivity.

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