Image: NSW Premier Chris Minns. Image: Facebook
Public servants have been ordered to return to the office following an announcement by Premier Chris Minns, which reverses earlier flexible work arrangements.
Premier Minns gave NSW government staff just one day’s notice for this abrupt policy shift, issuing a memo to over 430,000 public sector workers to return to the office.
The premier’s department said it was not “mandating a particular pattern of attendance” but the default arrangement is to work “principally in an approved workplace, office or related work site”.
The NSW government’s decision to crack down on the work-from-home (WFH) arrangements has sparked outcry by union organisations and public sector workers.
The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) responded to the government’s memorandum, acknowledging that while many of their members do not have the option to work from home, the union had “always fought for flexible working arrangements”.
These flexible working arrangements include where possible, “working from home for those whose roles do not rely on them attending a specific site”.
According to the memo, workplace presence is a critical aspect of reinforcing the effectiveness and unity within public institutions.
The memo stated that successful work outcomes were supported by employees working in the office and being “physically present in our organisations”.
Hybrid work unlikely to shift from workplace norm despite government pressure
According to data from Robin Powered, a company known for its desk and room booking software and advanced workplace analytics, flexible and hybrid work models are becoming permanent fixtures in most industries.
Despite shifts in work patterns, Robin Powered found that the vast majority of industries will not revert to a five-day office schedule.
“The vast majority of industries will never go back to a five-day office schedule. Flexible and hybrid work are here to stay. Mandate or not, you still need employees to buy into the office experience”, their ‘Return to Office 2024’ report said.
Robin Powered surveyed nearly 600 full-time employees at companies adopting flexible work models and found low compliance in workplace mandates.
While 45% of employees are required to be in the office four days a week, only 24% report being present this frequently.
Additionally, while 73% of respondents said they felt more connected to their colleagues when working in person, 64% of employees expressed indifference if their team is in the office while they are not.
More than 50% of employees indicated they would need an additional $50 to $75 to justify the cost of commuting. 71% of employees surveyed also believe they were more productive working from home.
Hybrid Work Outperforms Salary in Employee Satisfaction
According to data from the US Career Institute, nearly two-thirds of employees reported remote work as the most important aspect of a job, ranking even higher than salary, a flexible schedule, and having a good work-life balance.
In the largest study to date on remote work, Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom reported compelling evidence on the benefits of hybrid work models. Bloom’s research reveals that employees who work from home two days a week maintain the same level of productivity, are likely to get promoted, and much less likely to quit.
Bloom’s study also highlights that those engaged in hybrid work report the highest levels of support and sense of purpose.
“The results are clear: Hybrid work is a win-win-win for employee productivity, performance, and retention,” Bloom said.
The NSW Government’s notice stated that employees wishing to work from home must obtain formal approval and provide justifications for their need for a hybrid model, with their requests subject to regular review.
Public servants seeking to work from outside the state must also secure approval from their department head.
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