- Staff are now noisier after getting used to the sound of their voices in lockdown
Scots civil servants are being deterred from returning to the office because their colleagues have become noisier, it has been claimed.
Some became so used to the sound of their own voices during lockdown that they now speak at high volume.
Vallath Kavitha Krishnan, a team leader in the Scottish Government’s justice department, insists the cacophony is ‘overwhelming’ for many.
More than half of Scottish Government officials have yet to permanently return to their desks since lockdown ended.
It has prompted criticism they are becoming less productive and their absence is hurting retail and hospitality businesses.
Scots civil servants are being deterred from returning to the office because their colleagues have become noisier, it has been claimed (Stock image)
Some became so used to the sound of their own voices during lockdown that they now speak at high volume (Stock image)
But speaking to the Public Affairs In Practice podcast about some of her colleagues, Ms Krishnan said: ‘They feel really productive working from home because it’s very noisy in the office at the moment.
‘Working during the lockdown has changed some of people’s social skills. They don’t really realise how loud they might be when they’re talking.
‘[Some] find it maybe too loud or too overwhelming, and they find it more productive working from home.’
But Leon Thompson, of the industry group UK Hospitality Scotland, said: ‘It’s vital the decision is taken for civil servants to come back to the office and provide a much-needed financial boost for local shops, cafes and bars.’
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘We are committed to flexible hybrid working for our workforce, enabling staff to work from a range of settings.’
