HSBC reopens all branches and offices in England from today
HSBC said this morning it has reopened all of its bank branches and offices in England today as the government lifts the remainder of Covid-19 restrictions.
HSBC will also increase its building capacity to around 50 per cent of staff over the next few months.
“I know many colleagues will be hugely excited to get back into the office, while others will want to transition back more slowly,” according to an internal memo.
The UK lender is capping capacity within its lifts to 50 per cent as offices reopen. Previously, in its 8 Canada Square an Canary Wharf headquarters, the bank only allowed two employees per lift to retain social distance.
In contrast to their counterparts, HSBC has been conservative about asking employees to return to the office.
Only 4 per cent of staff came to its Canary Wharf headquarters during the pandemic. The bank plans to slash real estate costs by 40 per cent as they move to a hybrid model of work.
Staff returning to the bank are still required to wear face masks. Current restrictions on client meetings and approval processes for internal gatherings are set to be removed.
As a return to normal life is imminent, other banks such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have followed suit.
JPMorgan has told staff in England that it expects to go beyond its 50 per cent maximum capacity limit. Goldman Sachs anticipates 70 per cent of its staff to return in the coming the weeks.