AIBU in thinking they should get back to work?

I am working from and have done since first lockdown. One of our marketing team lives in Portugal. It all works very well. The DVLA website states to only return old license once new one received so shouldn’t be a problem and I expect they can trace online applications easily

Sunday paper said it was the union telling people not to go to work at dvla.

There was an 11 month extension between February and December 2020 and my licence fell between these dates. I didn’t receive a reminder this year but knew that I had to renew. I renewed it in the Post Office electronically, no hassle all done quickly and surprised to receive my new licence within days. Not all post office’s do it but you can find out online who does. Worth the trip into City Centre for me.

What on earth has the DVLA staff going on strike got to do with Christmas being 10 weeks away?
Yes, in my opinion you are being unreasonable. Anything that prevents the spread of covid - indeed, of any disease - is a good thing. If working from home is possible it should be allowed.
I had to work during lockdown, I had no option. I caught it, I'm almost certain, from my contacts at work, this was December 2020. I've not been able to work since.
So yes, working from home should continue wherever possible.
And a worker's right to strike should be respected. They don't do it for fun.

Ladyleftfieldlover

I’ve just remembered that OH is 70 in January so will have to reapply for his license. I suppose he had better get on with it!

OMG you gave me a turn with that post. Complete panic as I'm 72 and haven't had a new licence for ages. Turns out mine expires in 2022.

Ladyleftfieldlover you can apply for your over 70 licence up to 90 days before your birthday.

My grandson loves his job far more now he gets to see his children more, he's reduced his carbon footprint, the hour and a half commute is a thing of the past, they got rid of their car and now bike everywhere so they are healthier, and he's getting a lot more work done.
He now spends his lunch hour with his kids and wife and they are closer than ever, its a win-win, the only folk who don't like it are Tory donors who want their offices full again, which will then cause another lockdown!
No, people shouldn't be shunted to the offices, there are better ways of doing things and we need to move with the times!

Perhaps some paperwork is required to be submitted to DVLA offices for processing therefore not accessible to those working from home. Many people don't want to go back to working in offices etc saving on travel time and expenses. I have no issue with those choosing to do so, think I would.

Yes you are being completely unreasonable ! DVLA were the very last of the Civil Servants to be given the kit to work from home and worked in a huge open plan environment and had many cases of Covid. I understand their situation and understand why they chose to take industrial action. The backlog is awful but will be dealt with. Frankly the UK were late to the party, as always, with offering staff the option to work from home. There are many many reason to work from home if you’re fortunate enough to be in a position to do so, for many people it’s an absolute lifeline for their work life balance, it is better for carers, for the environment and many people work harder and longer - frankly I don’t care where people work

Many have demonstrated that they can be as productive, or even more productive working from home. Those who want to continue to work from home should be entitled to do so. For many it means saving time, money and the unnecessary hassle of commuting. It is better for family life and wastes less energy.

We should not compel people to return to city centre offices just to coffee shops in business and maintain the value of office blocks.

Daisymae

Depends on productivity. I know people who are WFH but have long lunches, exercise sessions etc. while popping off the odd email so that it looks like they are chained to the desk. Over time it is inevitable that productivity will decline. Communication must be an issue in some instances, training etc. If it carries on in some sectors some people will leave uni and then never get further than the spare bedroom! Obviously depends on the role but yes, I do think that WFH needs to be managed and probably most need to return to the desk.

I’m still working from home, as our my team, we meet via TEAMS every Monday for 30 minutes to discuss the weeks priorities, we have a 15 minute buzz meeting every other morning, and a full hour team meeting every Wednesday. Like many others our work is “quantifiable” so it would very obvious if people were “skiving” it’s very easy to “look busy” in an office, those who don’t work hard will “skive” in all environments. Most of us are grown ups who the work we are paid to do. I’m far more productive, I work longer hours, achieve more, barely use my car and rarely take more than 30 minutes for lunch, the same applies to my colleagues. We all do our work and we all meet our deadlines and targets. This works for me so much better than the 40 minute drive to work every day. Our teams sickness is a tiny percentage of pre Covid and morale far higher

Why do people keep assuming that because you’re working from home you’re not working as hard as you’ve ever done? There’s no reason why a lot of administrative tasks cannot be carried out efficiently from home. My husband and I have been working from home since March 2020 and haven’t slacked off at all.
I absolutely agree the delay in getting driving tests through the system is shocking - my son keeps losing jobs because he is waiting to take his test and the earliest date is February but there’s no reason to suppose it’s because DVLA people aren’t working when they’re home based.
In fact the evidence is that people are generally working efficiently from home which is why many businesses and companies are encouraging home based working now. If it is working in the private sector driven by profit there’s no reason it can’t work in the public sector.

I had to apply for a new licence as over 70, and it could not be done online sadly. Because I do not have a current passport and my old car licence was not a photo card. Hence I had to send handwritten form and verified photo. It has taken at least 6 months, I have had my proof of ID returned, so I know they are dealing. I hope I get it before I am 71!!

It means they all have sensitive documents in their homes, so I am not sure how secure they are. There is no option to ring or do online chat to chase up. The service is terrible.

I have been working from home all lockdown very happily and have been more productive. I now have to go in office one day a week, where we all talk more. Many people are now made to go back at least some days, so I don't see why DVLA should be different.

A bit late now, seacliff, but did you not know that they'll use your passport photo? All done electronically, no need for any paperwork.

(Just in case anyone else approaching 70 is applying)

A bit late now, seacliff, but did you not know that they'll use your passport photo? All done electronically, no need for any paperwork.

I do not have a current passport, and they won't accept photo on an expired one.

Galaxy

Why are people obsessed with other people going back to the office. I dont really understand what's going on with the DVLA at the moment. I applied for a provisional licence last week and received it within 4 days yet other types of licence are taking months. It might be worth asking why that is and if it is linked to hone working.

I applied to renew my driving licence online on Monday and it arrived today. Four days - excellent service.

seacliff

^A bit late now, seacliff, but did you not know that they'll use your passport photo? All done electronically, no need for any paperwork.^

I do not have a current passport, and they won't accept photo on an expired one.

I wondered if that was the case.

I spent ages trying to get a passport compliant photo in a photo booth before I found that I didn't need too..

Working from home has to be a good thing and office type work is ideal for this. Think of all the traffic pollution that is not being caused, the time saved in travelling and so on. Mega benefits for all.

i am doing okay thank you, everything went well, 20 days in hospital but home with daily visits from nurses.

It took 4 months for my son to receive his provisional driving licence. According to the application form it should take 3 weeks. It was suppose to arrive in time for his 17th birthday, so disappointed.

Many people are now made to go back at least some days, so I don't see why DVLA should be different.

That's a very short-sighted view. The reasons for going in, or not, should be to do with the actual work needed.

It means they all have sensitive documents in their homes, so I am not sure how secure they are.

Really? Documents have to be sent to people's home addresses?
I'd have thought that staff in the main office could receive and check the documents and return them, while notifying others who then work on the next step.
Or is that too sensible?

You are not BU. Of course they should go back to work. Unions again!

But they're at work.

They're just not in the office.

Alegrias1

But they're at work.

They're just not in the office.

It's not complicated, is it?

Apparently, it is Doodledog.