Edinburgh-based investment giant Standard Life Aberdeen Plc — one of Scotland’s largest employers — has told most of its UK staff to work from home for the rest of the year.

Standard Life Aberdeen told its 4,900 UK employees in a memo that most of them should not expect to come into the office in 2020.

Standard Life Aberdeen is planning for only a small number of employees to return to their offices in the next few months.

Baillie Gifford, Edinburgh’s other fund management behemoth, is planning a phased return of employees in the coming months.

Mike Tumilty, chief operating officer at Standard Life, said in the memo: “While we are planning for a small number of colleagues to return to office working over the coming months, we have decided that the majority of UK colleagues should continue to work remotely until the end of the year.

“This decision is based on our current assessment of existing government guidance and we will of course continue to keep this and our decision under review as the situation evolves. 

“Colleague health and wellbeing is central to our discussions and protecting them and their families is critical to our planning process.

“This is balanced with the various UK and Scottish governments’ guidelines and measures as they evolve. 

“One of the consistent messages across the UK is that, where possible, people should work from home if they can and this very much applies to Financial Services.

“As the situation has developed, it has become evident that while we may see some easing of working restrictions, we do not expect this principle to change materially for the foreseeable future.

“Importantly the strength of our IT infrastructure and platform has helped enable teams across the business to continue to deliver for and service our customers and clients.”