Civil servants are demanding the right to stay at home full time - and have threatened to strike amid fury over being asked to work in the office two days a week.
More than 1,000 employees at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are preparing to ballot after chiefs told them to stop working from home full time.
According to the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, many staff members come in "several days a week anyway".
The union also argues that some workers only accepted the ONS job "because they were promised the flexibility to work from home".
Civil servants are demanding the right to stay at home full time - and have threatened to strike amid fury over being asked to work in the office two days a week (stock image)
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Union bosses have called for talks with ONS management ahead of the strike ballot closure on April 2.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "Post-pandemic arrangements at ONS have been an example of best practice in flexible and sustainable ways of working.
"So it's a mystery why managers have changed their minds, especially after having regularly reassured members they could remain working more flexibly.
"No evidence-based business case has been made for their rushed decision - a move that has caused anger among staff demoralised by the lack of trust and the need for rapid changes to their childcare and other arrangements."
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The ONS collects economic data on jobs, growth and inflation used by the Bank of England, the Treasury and census figures.
The pushback from staff is the latest in a string of demands from remote workers who have rejected requests to return to the office.
Ministers have been attempting to implement measures which ensure Whitehall staff are back in the office at least 60 per cent of the time amid concerns remote working has reduced productivity and increased waiting times for services.
Many firms have began cracking down on staff failing to hit the mandatory three days in the office.
The union also argues that some workers only accepted the ONS job 'because they were promised the flexibility to work from home'
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A spokesperson for the ONS said: "The ONS has had a hybrid working model for some years now, in line with the wider Civil Service.
"Face-to-face interaction supports collaboration and fosters learning and innovation, while some tasks can be done as effectively or even more effectively at home.
"We are applying this flexibly to help balance business and personal needs, and have offered all colleagues extensive support."
