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Have your say: How important is office working to a job and career?

With millions of workers around England cautiously heading back to the office this summer, employees and staff are once again weighing up the benefits of office working in the post-pandemic world.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak declared it was 'really beneficial' being in an office at the start of his career, in an apparent plea for office staff to embrace hybrid working practices going forward.

The government relaxed its working from home guidance on 19 July, but many employers are still adopting a cautious approach in coaxing staff back from remote working.

Before the easing of COVID restrictions in July, Mr Sunak told the Telegraph it was "really important" for young people to be in a workplace.

The latest government guidance states that it "expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer".

When asked about return to offices, Sunak told LinkedIn News: "I have spoken previously about young people in particular benefiting from being in offices.

"It was really beneficial to me when I was starting out in my career."

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak arrives at Wolverhampton Art Gallery during a visit to Wolverhampton to mark the one-year anniversary of the Plan for Jobs on July 7, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jacob King - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said working in an office was 'really beneficial' to him early in his career. (Getty)

When describing advice he gave to young people starting careers in financial services during a visit to Scotland last week, the chancellor continued: "I was telling them that the mentors I found when I first started my job I still talk to and they have been really helpful to me all through my career even after we have gone in different ways.

"I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom.

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"And that's why I think for young people in particular being able to physically be in an office is valuable."

Do you agree with the chancellor's comments? Though all jobs are different and offices provide a variety of working conditions, we want to hear from you on this issue.

Vote in our Yahoo UK poll above and let us know what you think.

Watch: Young employees enjoy greater work/life balance while working from home