Trade Union Raises Concerns that Wrexham Council Staff are working in ‘unsafe and over-crowded’ offices

Trade Union UNISON has raised concerns that Council staff in Wrexham are being forced to work in overcrowded, unsafe offices because of a return-to-office policy the employer has refused to rethink.  The concerns were raised in a news release from UNISON Wrexham county branch yesterday, which revealed a number of ‘serious concerns’ for employees.

UNISON branch officers based their findings on inspections carried out at Crown Buildings, Guildhall, Lambpit Street and Ruthin Road, which uncovered desk shortages, outdated electrical testing, damp, fire safety risks, poor first aid arrangements and a lack of suitable equipment for staff working on screens.

The report says the council’s office space is not fit for a return to majority office working. In some teams there are far fewer desks than staff. One section at Lambpit Street has eight desks for 15 people. At Crown Buildings, staff have been working in break-out areas and at kitchen tables without proper chairs, monitors or keyboards.

The union says the problems are affecting staff wellbeing and the services that residents rely on. Workers have reported lost time searching for parking, extra childcare costs, discomfort from unsuitable desks and chairs, and reduced productivity caused by overcrowding and noise.

UNISON asked council leader Mark Pritchard and deputy leader David Bithell to meet branch representatives to discuss the findings. The union says that request was refused. Branch officers then attended the executive board meeting and handed the report directly to councillors.

UNISON is calling on Wrexham County Borough Council to meet staff representatives urgently, address the health and safety issues identified in the report, and agree a fair flexible working policy that reflects the reality of the council’s workplaces.

UNISON Wrexham county branch secretary Tracey Sutton-Postlethwaite said: “This report shows staff are being asked to work in offices that are cramped, poorly equipped and, in some cases, unsafe.

“Electrical testing is out of date, there is damp in the buildings and fire safety arrangements are not up to standard. These are basic obligations that the council is failing to meet.

“The answer is a fair flexible working policy and urgent action to make workplaces safe and fit for purpose. Staff and the people who depend on council services cannot afford to wait.”

UNISON Cymru regional organiser Merlin Gable said: “Wrexham council has been told these offices are overcrowded, unsafe and not fit for the level of office working being imposed on staff. Instead of listening, senior councillors have chosen to shut the door on legitimate concerns.

“Staff are hunting for desks, working in kitchens and paying extra childcare costs just to get through the day. That is a failure of basic management, and local residents who depend on council services are paying the price too.

“The council must stop pretending this policy is working. It should meet staff representatives urgently, fix the health and safety problems set out in the report and agree on a flexible working approach based on evidence, not wishful thinking.”

UNISON Wrexham county branch Welsh language and young members officer Morgan Peters said: “Council leader Mark Pritchard refused to meet the UNISON branch representing staff at Wrexham council to discuss the findings of the health and safety report. That should have been the minimum response.

“These are not abstract concerns. They go to the heart of working conditions, wellbeing and safety for staff delivering vital public services every day.

“Branch representatives had no choice but to attend the executive board meeting, raise the issues publicly and hand the report directly to councillors.

“Pritchard should rethink that decision, commit to meaningful talks with UNISON and ensure these health and safety concerns are acted on. Staff deserve to feel safe and supported at work. That starts with a willingness to listen.”

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– UNISON branch officers carried out inspections across Crown Buildings, Guildhall, Lambpit Street and Ruthin Road. The report is dated 25 February 2026.

– The report identified concerns including overcrowding, lack of desks and suitable display screen equipment, outdated portable appliance testing, damp conditions, fire safety issues, problems with first aid provision and a shortage of accessible parking.

– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.