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Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director responds to end of Covid-19 guidance to ‘work from home where possible’

“The relaxation of work from home guidance will be welcomed by businesses, with many already engaging positively with staff to shape new ways of working that suit both parties. Hybrid working is here to stay for many firms, and it’s up to them and their staff to work together to maximise the benefits of a balanced approach.

“We should recognise however that for some workplaces, a hybrid approach won’t be possible or desirable. There are also many clear benefits to being in a physical workspace, such as collaboration, on-the-job learning and reducing the negative impact of isolation on mental wellbeing.

“NI’s extended work-from-home guidance has had a significant downside for city centre trade in sectors such as hospitality and retail. High streets work best with a vibrant work population and the latest easing of work-from-home guidance will hopefully improve the vacancy problem for cities and towns across Northern Ireland. With many firms already experiencing diminished demand, the prospect of an upturn in footfall will provide encouragement as they look to trade their way to recovery.”