Ian Guider: Staying at home has implications for the economy

A return to full normality will be hard to achieve if desks continue to lie empty in offices

The message from Nike, and other companies, is that those who have roles in offices will not be pushed back to their desks right away. Picture: Hollie Adams

Nike, the US sportswear giant, recently told staff working at its headquarters that they could have a week off in a gesture to thank them for all their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Take the time to unwind, de-stress and spend time with your loved ones. Do not work,” Matt Marrazzo, the company’s senior manager for global marketing science, told employees in a memo.

It certainly has been a busy year for Nike, with record ...