ONS takes 13,600 sq ft at Heron House as WFH dispute rumbles on
The Office for National Statistics has signed a 10-year lease on part the first floor at the Manchester City Council owned building, expanding its presence in the city while staff continue to rebel against a mandated return to the office.
The deal will see the government department relocate its Manchester base from Tootal Buildings on Oxford Street, where it has 20 desks, to 13,600 sq ft at Heron House in Albert Square.
ONS opened its Manchester base in February 2023 creating jobs for 100 staff. The department, which is perhaps best known for conducting the census, also has offices in Newport, Titchfield in Hampshire, Edinburgh, London, and Darlington.
Earlier this month, some ONS staff voted to strike in protest against being asked to come into the office more regularly.
The decision to strike marks an escalation of action being taken by staff who oppose being asked to spend 40% of their working hours in the office. To date, those who disagree with the policy have been refusing to comply with it but have stopped short of an all-out strike.
The Public Commercial Services Union represents some of the ONS workers taking industrial action and claims the attendance policy does “nothing to improve productivity and everything to disrupt the lives of ONS staff”.
In Manchester, ONS will join GCHQ and Juicy Tech within the building.
Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig said: “We welcome the Office of National Statistics to Heron House and it’s another great example of an important national organisation expanding their footprint in Manchester, taking 13,000 sq ft of prime office space as part of the Council’s publicly owned estate in the heart of our Civic Quarter.
“Manchester once again shows its strength in attracting key businesses and organisations. This takes confidence in the city as a supplier of quality office space alongside an envious talent pool of potential employees – which is also good news for our residents who can take advantage of great jobs coming to the city.”
Cushman & Wakefield is Heron House’s retained agent. The asset is operated by Bruntwood on behalf of the city council.
The barefaced cheek!
By Boris
The ONS and GCHQ in Manchester.?The office is dead …obviously 😂
By Anonymous
Get back to the office if that’s what in your contract. The alternative is don’t and give up your job to someone who will. Such a nice office too.
By Anonymous
Heron House is a dull building which distracts from the beauty of the Town Hall and Albert Square. Heron House should be demolished and replaced with a modern signature building.
By Anonymous
Corrections:
1. 100 jobs were not ‘created’ these were already jobs that existed but staff lived too far away from the other office locations to attend.
2. No strike has been actioned and the majority of Manchester ONS staff are happy to come into the office 40% of the time (this is currently set at 20% as demand outstrips capacity).
By Anonymous
Get back to work
By Taxpayer
The ONS should spend less time “correcting” rather banal updates on their property portfolio/use, and more time improving its performance, considering issues both new and longstanding.
We pay a lot for the existence of this agency. What do we get for it.
By Jeff
Two days a week – wow! No wonder the numbers produced are always subject to revision.
By Anonymous