The minister tasked with ending Whitehall’s work from home culture has taken to leaving notes on civil servants’ desks, urging them to get back to the office.
Jacob Rees Mogg has recently begun patrolling the government departments in an effort to determine how many remain empty even after lifting lockdown restrictions.
It was discovered last night, however, that he often leaves messages behind when he visits unannounced. These are politely written but have a clear meaning.
Jacob Rees Mogg (pictured) is touring Whitehall in an attempt to get into contact with civil servants. However, if he finds a vacant desk, he can leave behind a printed message
To the secretaries of State, efficiency minister wrote to inform them that they need to send a clear message to civil servants about their expectation to return to work.
They state: ‘Sorry you were out when I visited. I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.’ They are signed ‘with every good wish’ and carry his name and title.
As it is known, Rees Mogg left several of the notes at his Cabinet Office office department as he was responsible for civil service reform several days ago.
Earlier this week he had written to all secretaries of state to say they must send a ‘clear message to civil servants in your department to ensure a rapid return to the office’.
He also released a league table that showed how many government officials were in their offices on average days earlier in the month. It came after the Daily Mail revealed that dozens of ministries and quangos have quietly made ‘hybrid working’ policies permanent and only require staff to be on site two days a week.
However, Mr Rees-Mogg’s notes only became public knowledge last night when a photograph of one, pinned to a green noticeboard, was posted on social media.
His messages were labelled bullying by opposition MPs. Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan wrote on Twitter: ‘What a pointless nasty gesture.’
Senior Labour MP Chris Bryant said: ‘What a nasty patronising man.’
Ex-ministers and high ranking officials of the Conservative Party also voiced their dissatisfaction.