Met Police Staff Vote to Strike Over Work-from-Home Cuts
Staff at the Metropolitan Police have voted to go on strike for the first time in history over controversial plans to reduce their ability to work from home.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union announced "overwhelming support" for the industrial action, with 85% of members voting to strike and 91% backing action short of a strike.
The dispute follows a decision by Met managers to reverse an existing blended working agreement, which allowed employees to work from home for part of the week. The change will require staff to return to the office in the new year, a policy the PCS claims disproportionately affects women, part-time workers, and people with disabilities.
Strike Could Disrupt Vital Services
The strike could involve up to 2,400 civilian workers who support critical police operations, including 999 call handlers and child protection officers. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote emphasized the importance of these desk-based roles and criticized the policy shift.
“Our members are not bobbies on the beat,” said Heathcote. “They are desk-based civilians who work from home just as productively as if they were in the office, but without the stress and cost of a daily commute."
She added, “It’s time politicians and the right-wing media stopped their obsession with telling people where they have to work and started listening to the evidence from academics, employers, and employees that shows working from home is a perfectly viable option for many people.”
Impact of the Policy
The PCS union argues the return-to-office mandate will disrupt the lives of thousands of workers, particularly those juggling caregiving responsibilities or managing disabilities. Critics of the policy argue that it undermines progress made during the pandemic toward more flexible and inclusive work arrangements.
The decision to reverse blended working has sparked anger among staff, who feel the change is unnecessary and damaging. One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "This is about more than convenience—it’s about fairness. For many of us, working from home isn’t a luxury; it’s essential."
Awaiting a Response
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
The planned strike action raises serious concerns about the potential impact on police operations and public services, particularly as civilian staff play a vital role in supporting frontline officers.
As tensions escalate, all eyes will be on how the Met and government respond to this unprecedented challenge.