There is such a thing as a free lunch… if you go back to your City desk

Crowds on the London South Bank

(Picture: PA)

Top City and West End firms on Monday revealed the steps they are taking to encourage staff to return to the office.

Most blue chip businesses and public sector bodies plan to allow staff to “mix and match” their working week.

Some said they were introducing incentives to encourage workers back, stressing how enjoying London’s “diverse and thriving culture” should be part of the working experience.

Their stance was a contrast to the Bank of England which has been criticised after ditching a requirement for staff to go into the office at least one day a week.

Estate agent Knight Frank has organised a series of rooftop barbecues at its Baker Street headquarters.

Senior partner Alistair Elliott said its feedback from graduate trainees was “much more positive” once they had been able to spend time in the office.

Goldman Sachs has made its City-based canteen free of charge for breakfast and lunch and opened its roof garden to all staff with lunch provided outside. British Land has tied up with the National Theatre to provide a series of free cultural events at its office “campuses” at Paddington, Broadgate in the City and Regent’s Place in Camden. Ad agency VCCP is laying on a breakfast with a barista every day for the next two weeks as it welcomes employees back.

City-based law firm Linklaters said its new “agile working policy” enabled employees to work remotely for between 20 and 50 per cent of their time “as long as it is communicated to teams in advance”.

Consultants EY, which has its 10-storey headquarters near London Bridge, said its expectation was that most staff “will normally spend at least two days a week working remotely with the remainder of their time spent working together in person at a client site or in the EY office.

City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority said it did not expect staff back in its office in Stratford until November.

The independent regulator, which reports to the Treasury, said it would then begin a six-month hybrid working trial with staff expected to spend 20 per cent of their time in the office until January and 40 to 50 per cent from January onwards.