Civil servants across Scotland are to ballot for strike action after being told they must turn up to the office for some of the working week.
The Scottish Government has said that as of next week its core staff must work from the office at least 40 per cent of the week as it bids to cut the numbers of civil servants logging in from home.
But now the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents civil servants, has blasted the rules as 'unacceptable' and has demanded the Scottish Government drop the mandate.
The powerful trade union has announced it will ballot its members on potential industrial action as it ratchets up the pressure on John Swinney's government.
But the Nationalists have been urged to ignore their demands and instead get civil servants back into the offices paid for by the taxpayer.
MSP Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservative's public service reform spokesman, said: 'SNP ministers should not bow to these demands from unions acting on behalf of entitled civil servants.
The Scottish Government has told civil servants they must work from the office 40 per cent of the week
'The culture of not working in taxpayer-funded government buildings has been allowed to take root for far too long, and this mandate should be the first step to reversing that trend.
'Scots will hardly be surprised public services are in decline if the SNP's army of civil servants are threatening to go on strike at having to go into the office for a fraction of the week.'
Since October 2025, core Scottish Government staff have been asked to work in the office for at least 40 per cent of the working week, equivalent to two days a week for full time employees.
But from Monday rather than just being asked, the Scottish Government said they will be required to do so.
The order comes amid growing pressure on the Nationalists to bring civil servants back into the office, with many of its staff seemingly defying requests and leaving offices abandoned.
PCS has said its ballot on potential industrial action will begin on Monday and last until December 14.
As well as core Scottish Government civil servants, staff at Social Security Scotland, Community Justice Scotland, Transport Scotland and Disclosure Scotland are also part of the ballot.
Ruby Gibson, the union's national officer for Scotland, said the Holyrood government had 'provided no convincing evidence' for its 40 per cent mandate.
The union official said: 'Instead, the Permanent Secretary and employers have chosen to impose an arbitrary target and threaten disciplinary action against workers who do not comply.
Murdo Fraser has said the SNP should not bow to the union demands
'This is an unacceptable way to treat the people who helped keep Scotland's public services running through the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued to deliver vital services in challenging circumstances ever since.
'The pandemic demonstrated what civil servants and their employers already knew: that public services can be delivered effectively through flexible and hybrid working.
'It opened up opportunities for a better work-life balance, improved productivity and a more inclusive workforce, including for disabled workers, carers and those living in rural and remote communities.
'Rather than building on those gains, the Scottish Government is determined to turn the clock back.
'It is replacing trust with surveillance, flexibility with rigid targets and constructive employment relations with the threat of disciplinary action.'
Ms Gibson said the union did not oppose office working but that the ballot was 'about protecting the future of hybrid working' and 'making clear that PCS members will not simply accept decisions that undermine their working lives'.
While core civil servants have been told they must work in person for 40 per cent of the week, senior civil servants have been told they have to work from the office for at least 60 per cent.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The introduction of the updated hybrid policy follows a period of formal consultation with unions. Existing support arrangements remain in place and managers have been given clear guidance in how to use them.
'We will continue to engage with unions on this issue to better understand the issues of concern.'
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