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The back door council staff have now been ordered to use |
Fuming staff told: Come in the back door please!
Town Hall’s directive for 1,000 workers lambasted as a ‘looney rule’
COUNCIL staff say they are being treated as “second class citizens” by the Town Hall’s latest “looney” rule – banning employees from using the front door of their Upper Street offices.
Staff have been left fuming by the directive, which came into force on Monday and means all 1,085 who work at 222 Upper Street, and any other visiting staff, must go round the corner, down a side street and through the back door.
The Town Hall’s internal website tells staff the new rule – which is part of a £300,000 redesign of the building’s reception – will reduce congestion, adding: “From January 5, all staff – whether based at 222 or visiting the building – must use the entrance on Laycock Street, where there will be swipe card access.
“All deliveries must be taken to this entrance too... The changes will make the reception area at Contact Islington less congested... This will improve the experience for customers.”
One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a slap in the face for staff. It means we have to go out of our way.
“I don’t see there’s a problem using the front door. It’s a big entrance.”
He added: “The council is inventing problems. It strikes me as being a little bit looney to pluck this problem out of nowhere and make us go in the back door as if we’re an embarrassment.
“It’s a real hassle. You can’t walk off Upper Street – you have to walk down a side street which at this time of year is pretty dark.”
Vaughan West, branch secretary of general union the GMB, said: “It’s not a major issue but it’s a bit over the top that staff have to come in through the car park.
“I don’t see why there’s a particular issue in 222 Upper Street that means staff have to sneak in through the back door.”
Town Hall deputy leader Terry Stacy said: “We want our residents to have a pleasant and efficient experience when they visit us – and getting squashed at the front door isn’t a good start.
“More than 1,000 people work at the office so we’re asking them to use the side door to ease congestion and improve the service to the public.”
He added: “It’s perfectly safe at night because the street is brightly lit and the majority of staff seem very happy with the arrangement.
“This is part of a massive project to rationalise where people work, called ‘smart working’, which has already saved the taxpayer money and will save another £700,000 – largely because we’re making better use of our office space.”
A Town Hall spokesman said members of the public had made complaints about the building’s reception area. |
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