Mansfield District Council sets out stance on return to office for employees
Mansfield District Council has no plans to change its work-from-home policy amid national pledges to end the practice by Reform UK.
The authority’s Councillor Craig Whitby, who is the cabinet member for corporate and finance, confirmed the stance at a meeting of the council on Tuesday, March 3rd.
The authority has operated a flexible home and office working policy since before the coronavirus pandemic.
The Labour Mansfield councillor was asked by Conservative councillor Andre Camillieri whether the authority would amend its home working policy in light of the Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council saying it would continue to promote a hybrid policy.
Coun Whitby said: “This council operates a structured hybrid working policy which requires a minimum of two days per week in the office for roles that can be delivered in an agile way. The guiding principle is business need. Where there is a greater physical presence required, that expectation is clear and applied accordingly.
“There are no current plans to amend our current arrangements. As with all policies, we will continue to review them, in alignment with organisational need and performance, and will do so in a measured and responsible way.”
It was in early February that Reform councillor Mick Barton, who leads Nottinghamshire County Council, was asked about that authority’s position on hybrid working by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage said in April 2025 that home working culture would be “gone” if Reform got into power in Nottinghamshire – which they did.
The former UKIP MP then doubled down on those comments last month when he said the country needs an “attitudinal change” to working from home.
Coun Barton told the LDRS that he agreed with this stance but that the county council simply did not “have the desk space” for every employee to be in five days per week.
Mansfield, which has been run by a Labour council since 2023, has three Reform councillors – Barry Answer, Martin Wright and Mick Barton himself.
Coun Whitby explained how the council had been operating a flexible and home-working arrangement well before the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a national shift in working policies.
He said: “I’ve worked with modern, flexible working practices for over 15 years and I understand both the benefits and the discipline required to make them successful. Our position has been consistent and considered. It is based on service delivery and productivity and value for money, not on political headlines or short-term positioning.
“Hybrid working has helped us recruit and retain staff in a competitive labour market, making effective use of our office estate and reducing unnecessary commuting, while retaining clear accountability and performance standards.
“Staff, residents and partners do not benefit from policies that are announced, withdrawn or reshaped in quick succession. Good governance requires clarity, stability and evidence-led decision making.”
Mansfield council had around 650 staff according to figures published in 2024.