// Asda HQ staff called to return to office from August 1
// Staff had been working from home since March due to Covid-19
// Up to 1000 employees will be able to work in the office at any one time
Asda head office staff are reportedly expected to return to its Leeds headquarters next month following the government’s latest work-from-home guideline.
The Big 4 grocer said it expected all its staff to spend at least some time in the office every week from August 1, after putting in place measures to ensure social distancing.
Up to 1000 employees will be able to work in the office at any one time, The Guardian reported.
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Asda said it has always worked to follow government guidelines around Covid and reopened home offices in May for colleagues who could not easily work from home.
The number of colleagues returning to the office has gradually increased since then, Asda said.
It now expects all colleagues to spend some time in the office each week from the start of August onwards.
Despite the government encouraging workers to return to city centres and offices safely in a bid to restart the economy, many companies are continuing to keep the majority of their office staff working from home.
Trade unions have said that more guidance and support is required to ensure a safe return to work from August 1.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s has said it is unlikely to bring the majority of office staff back for several months, while Marks & Spencer is testing an app that should help manage the number of people in its head office by allowing staff to book a slot to attend.
John Lewis said it was undergoing a “phased reopening” under which safety measures would be reviewed at each stage.
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