Reports state that New South Wales public employees have been told to report back to the office.
According to news.com.au, the Premier’s department issued a directive on Monday directing each agency to develop its employment policy.
“This circular does not strictly prescribe patterns of attendance … However, the starting position is that work is principally done in an approved workplace in NSW,” said the directive as quoted by the news outlet.
A public employee who wants to work from home (WFH) routinely must provide a documented justification and explanation of circumstances, which the HR head must be aware of and keep on file.
The document also stated that WFH agreements should be for a set time and often evaluated.
The order updates the widely used flexible work schedules NSW’s public sector has used since 2019.
The statement recognizes the advantages of these arrangements in drawing and keeping “talented people, particularly people with carer responsibilities and other commitments outside of work.”
The order stated, “On some occasions, NSW government sector work can productively be done from home.”
“However, that is not available to all (staff) in all circumstances and the opportunity to work from home should not be taken for granted or considered unlimited.”
Motives for going back to office
According to news.com.au, the memo highlighted a problem with WFH. For example, inexperienced public employees lose out on the advantages of receiving in-person training from more seasoned colleagues.
“These outcomes are supported by employees working principally at their approved workplace,” the memo continued.
“The more our experience of work is shared, the more united we become. That means being physically present in our organizations.”
The memo added the issue of publicly funded office spaces.
“Effective use of public assets, including workplaces and offices, requires that they be utilized across the full working week.”
According to the Property Council of Australia, private companies still consider Sydney’s Central Business District the “best place to do business,” even though the area’s office vacancy rate has dropped to 11.6%.
