Returning to the office
What to expect when you return to our London and Manchester offices.
Our offices were forced to close their doors as part of the March 2020 national lockdown
Our offices were forced to close their doors as part of the March 2020 national lockdown
The new different
In March 2020, the word ‘lockdown’ became an unwelcome regular feature of the world’s vocabulary. In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, all ‘non-essential’ business premises were ordered to close.
In line with government advice, our London and Manchester offices closed their doors and we began the huge challenge of becoming a mainly virtual workforce.
Our offices were forced to close their doors as part of the March 2020 national lockdown
When lockdown began, I naively said to a colleague that I couldn't see us being back in the office much before June. How I've eaten those words since! A few months earlier was our first ever use of Zoom for a webinar - now it's everywhere!
Rising to the challenge
Looking back over the past 18 months, it’s clear that we've been more than able to rise to this challenge. From the IT and facilities teams' superhuman efforts to roll out work laptops and equipment, to the resilience of everyone in adapting quickly to the new ways of working. Admit it, we’ve been outstanding!
Permanent pyjama days
For many of us, the idea of commuting into a busy city centre each day is a now a distant memory. Putting on a load of washing at lunchtime is standard practice and our work/life balance seems, well, more balanced. Of course, there have been extra challenges along the way. Home-schooling and not owning enough loungewear, to name a few! But, generally, working from home has become the comfortable ‘new normal’ for a great number of us.
Working from home has become the new normal for many of us
I really enjoy working from home. It offers real flexibility, such as if I have an unavoidable appointment during working hours. I can still attend and just log in later. I'm also not a fan of travelling to work and working from home means cutting down travel time as well.
Working from home has become the new normal for many of us
Working from home has become the new normal for many of us
You're on mute!
But, for all the perks that home-working undoubtedly brings, we do have to accept that we’re missing out on some really great things about office working.
- Collaboration: This is a big one. Those face to face moments where an idea spontaneously comes to life in a room of people free to talk across each other – with no connection issues or accidental ‘mute’s!
- Networking: Crossing paths with colleagues outside of your immediate area and discovering a common workstream or objective.
- Soft skills: Remembering how to present live in person and meeting new colleagues as part of their induction. Learning mannerisms and real life tone, rather than trying to decipher if that email had any hidden meaning.
- Socialisation: Team lunches, after work drinks, social clubs – these things are important ways to create a bonded workforce and help build great relationships.
- Work/life separation: Another biggy. Stopping the lines between your working time and home time from becoming blurred. How many times have you caught yourself working through lunch or checking emails out of hours? Be honest...
- Practical workspaces: Choosing the right environment for your work can set the scene for your day. Being relegated to your dining room table/kitchen counter/box room every single day can take its toll. And working in the same place you eat, rest and relax can play havoc with your mental headspace and focus levels.
Using Teams has been fine during lockdown, but it can't beat just sticking your head over the desk and asking a quick question, or having a morning catch up on your way for a brew.
Our office locations
With this mind, it’s important not to forget the amazing workspaces that we do have.
2 Redman Place, London
- Our brand new office space, based in Stratford.
- First opened as our NICE office in January 2021.
- Home to around 130 colleagues.
Our central city office locations in Redman Place, London and City Tower, Manchester
City Tower, Manchester
- Our city centre location, overlooking Piccadilly Gardens.
- First opened as our NICE office in June 2008.
- Home to around 650 colleagues.
Our central city office locations in Redman Place, London and City Tower, Manchester
Our central city office locations in Redman Place, London and City Tower, Manchester
2 Redman Place
You'll receive a warm welcome at Redman Place from our fantastic reception team
You'll receive a warm welcome at Redman Place from our fantastic reception team
2 Redman Place, London
Redman Place is our brand new workplace in London. It's a shared environment, with a focus on collaboration, up to date technology and security. We cannot wait to welcome you in!
You'll receive a warm welcome at Redman Place from our fantastic reception team
The building sits within International Quarter London. It's surrounded by 560 acres of parkland and close to the Westfield shopping centre, with excellent retail and restaurant facilities.
Our London office workers will benefit from being based in Stratford, one of London's newest business destinations. Our building also has fantastic transport connectivity, with access to the London Underground, Overground, DLR and CrossRail from this year.
I have found being back in the London office one day a week a huge relief from the monotony of being stuck at home. Redman Place is an inspiring and bright place with lots of flexible spaces to suit different kinds of work.
Our London office heroes
During the pandemic, the London office and facilities team had the additional challenge of moving locations to our new Redman Place building. This included packing up everything, from equipment to furniture, and moving across the city.
A relocation of this size is no easy task, even under normal circumstances, never mind with pandemic restrictions to consider. "The team has worked hard in the old office, sustainably disposing of, or donating the entire contents," explains Kirsty O'Donnell, estates and facilities manager.
"We're now in the new office and making sure that everything is safe and welcoming for teams when they do return," continues Kirsty. "We're also concentrating on creating a unified office with the 7 arm's-length-bodies (ALBs) who we share a floor with."
Despite the challenges of the move, the team is excited for everyone to start making the most of our fantastic new building. "Our team is excited about showing off the Stratford office, with all its great new facilities. We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back, especially after the long delay and frustrating time we've all had," concludes Kirsty.
Our London office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Kirsty O'Donnell, estates and facilities manager; Meliz Ragiboglu, office coordinator; Salma Uddin, facilities and events administrator; Frank Closier, facilities administrator
Our London office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Kirsty O'Donnell, estates and facilities manager; Meliz Ragiboglu, office coordinator; Salma Uddin, facilities and events administrator; Frank Closier, facilities administrator
Our London office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Kirsty O'Donnell, estates and facilities manager; Meliz Ragiboglu, office coordinator; Salma Uddin, facilities and events administrator; Frank Closier, facilities administrator
"It's amazing to feel all the space and light of the new office. All that's needed now is more people to talk to..."
Steven, London based colleague
City Tower
City Tower, Manchester
Many of you will be familiar with our Manchester office already. But, while most of us have been working at home, the facilities team has been working tirelessly to improve our office space. Improvements include:
- 27 additional Wifi points installed
- 12 meeting rooms with new audio visual equipment
- 267 workstations upgraded with docking stations and webcams
- automatic door opening systems on all double doors and new exit sensors for free touch movement around the office
- general painting and repair work to refresh the whole environment.
Our modernised bike store area, The Spoke Zone, which can accommodate up to 42 standard sized bikes
And, of course, the creation of The Spoke Zone. We now have a dedicated area for 42 standard sized bikes, plus 14 lockers for folding bikes. We have 60 heated lockers to dry wet clothing and towels, and there are 2 new showers, in addition to the 5 that were already available.
Seeing colleagues face to face has really helped my mental health. Being able to chat to people rather than just sending emails really makes you feel like things are getting back to normal!
Our modernised bike store area, The Spoke Zone, which can accommodate up to 42 standard sized bikes
Our modernised bike store area, The Spoke Zone, which can accommodate up to 42 standard sized bikes
Our Manchester office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Michelle Rowlands, estates and facilities manager; Rebecca Holmes, assistant facilities manager; Laura Foster, office coordinator; Aimee Burford, facilities administrator; Martin Conneely, facilities assistant; Rebekah Bridle, office administrator; Kevin Graham, office administrator; Dawn Abbott, reception and office assistant; Zoe Jones, receptionist and office assistant
Our Manchester office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Michelle Rowlands, estates and facilities manager; Rebecca Holmes, assistant facilities manager; Laura Foster, office coordinator; Aimee Burford, facilities administrator; Martin Conneely, facilities assistant; Rebekah Bridle, office administrator; Kevin Graham, office administrator; Dawn Abbott, reception and office assistant; Zoe Jones, receptionist and office assistant
Our Manchester office heroes
Over the past 18 months, the facilities team has had to be there for each other more than most. The pandemic drove a very sudden shift in working dynamics and behaviours.
Michelle Rowlands, estates and facilities manager, says: "Working from home was not something that was commonplace to my team, who are office-based in order to provide services for the rest of the organisation. We've all had our own individual challenges to overcome, but my team has been fantastic in helping each other."
Returning into the office when it was safe to do so, the team has worked hard to make our environments completely COVID-19 secure. No small feat in the light of continually changing guidance and requirements. They've also supported other teams with:
- recruitment
- laptop roll outs
- meetings in public
- interview panels
- HR advice line
- training bookings
- MS Teams trials.
"Everyone in the team has put themselves out to come into the office, while the rest of the organisation stayed at home, so that we could get the office ready to re-open," continues Michelle. "I am so proud of my work family and what we have achieved."
Our Manchester office and facilities team. From left to right, top to bottom: Michelle Rowlands, estates and facilities manager; Rebecca Holmes, assistant facilities manager; Laura Foster, office coordinator; Aimee Burford, facilities administrator; Martin Conneely, facilities assistant; Rebekah Bridle, office administrator; Kevin Graham, office administrator; Dawn Abbott, reception and office assistant; Zoe Jones, receptionist and office assistant
"I've enjoyed returning to the office, having a change of scenery without some of the distractions of home."
Emma, Manchester based colleague
COVID-19 safe and secure
Your safety will always be our priority. We’re continually adapting and responding to government advice for COVID-19 measures as this is updated. Changes that have been implemented include:
- One-way routes around the office with posters and floor signage. This has allowed colleagues to continue to use the office safely during tighter restriction periods. From Monday 19 July, this will no longer be in place.
- Sanitisation stations throughout the office containing alcohol hand-sanitiser, alcohol wipes, anti-bacterial sanitiser, tissues and blue-roll.
- Individual stationery packs for all staff.
- Desk booking system so that capacity and head count can be managed.
- Reduced occupancy at desks, in meeting rooms, toilets and common areas. This is due to be increased over the coming months as restrictions are lifted.
- Face coverings to be worn when moving around the office. These will still be recommended in busy circulation spaces such as lifts and toilets.
- NICE track and trace policy in place.
- Staff encouraged to complete rapid lateral flow tests in advance of visiting the office.
As the restrictions continue to be lifted, we'll be looking at what that means for using our offices later this year. This will be in line with other ALBs and follow any new advice from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The facilities team is extremely welcoming, supportive, and has made sure the office is safe, clean and secure.
Welcome back!
If you're planning to visit the office, it’s a good idea to to visit the ways of working page of NICE Space first. Here, you’ll find the most recent updates on current restrictions and guidance specifically for returning to the office.
You’ll also find details of any steps you’ll need to take before, during and after your visit. This could include:
- completing a workplace risk assessment
- COVID-19 home testing
- reading policies about office protocol
- using our desk booking system.
We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back into our offices
After the initial process of completing the office forms, I found booking my desk easy and the desk floorplan was helpful to see where all of my colleagues would be sitting.
We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back into our offices
We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back into our offices
It's important for us to get the right balance for our new ways of working following the pandemic
It's important for us to get the right balance for our new ways of working following the pandemic
Best of both worlds
As the situation changes, and hopefully improves, we hope to welcome many more of you back to the office on a more regular basis.
It's important for us to get the right balance for our new ways of working following the pandemic
We know things will not return to how they were before the pandemic and we may never quite get back to Dolly's '9 to 5'. But, that might not be such a bad thing. The key is to find the balance. The best of both worlds. Taking the best elements of both home and office working to become the most effective organisation we can be.
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