Return to office mandates
Posted by: jules4758
9th Apr 2025 11:58am
The Liberal party recently suggested mandating return to office for government workers. Do people feel this is a post COVID inevitable? Or should workplaces be more open to allowing remote work where possible?
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Comments 22
logilnk2
Workplaces should be more flexible and allow more remote work hours on a regular basis.
SimWest19
I've been WFH 5 days a week since having my children, and we even opted not to replace our 2nd car that was written off in a severe weather event. I've just been informed of a hybrid requirement starting in 2 weeks and it's very frustrating when my office is an hour away, in a different city, with my hours incompatible with daycare which is close to home. My husband, who also WFH, will need to adjust his hours to be able to pick the kids up on my office days, and get me to the train at 6.20am. WFH saved us so much stress when it came to the cost of living crisis!
John3259
Working from home if the work can be done there makes a lot of sense. We are all too familiar with the high levels of peak hour traffic and the extra time it gives to commutes. Surely if for no other reason than to improve urban air quality and also allow workers more quality time ve4rsus that used in commute's would be a good thing. It all reeks of the
andyfoster16
It shouldn’t be up to the government to decide if non government employees should be able to work from home. This should be decided by each employer by determining if it’s a viable option for their circumstances.
andyfoster16
It shouldn’t be up to the government to decide if non government employees should be able to work from home. This should be decided by each employer by determining if it’s a viable option for their circumstances.
LES
No work at home back to office . Working from home would lead to abuse and ripping off the tax payers.
Ellessri
As far as I'm concerned it should be a case by case basis to meet the needs of both employers and employees, if return to the office was mandated I'd look for other alternatives as with my current role I'm not willing to commute that long on a daily basis, especially as they moved offices so what was a 15 minute commute is now a 50 - 60 in stop start traffic
If the role can be done from home it should be an option to at least have a hybrid set up
Kristine
Mandating a full return to office feels like a step backwards for many. While collaboration and face to face interaction have value, the pandemic proved that remote work can be just as productive. Rather than a one size fits all mandate, workplaces should adopt flexible models that balance accountability with autonomy. It’s not just about where people work, but how they work best.
AdelaideM
I can understand having to come into the office for specific days or meetings, but I think a hybrid workplace is the most practical option.
People who, due to disability or life stage, need to work from home more can do so, and everyone else can work from home a couple of days a week.
I have to be onsite every day for my work, and it is significantly easier to get my work done when other people are onsite. I think it also leads to better workplace culture if people spend time in the office together.
But requiring people to be onsite every single day for every single job is impractical. People should be able to work from home when they need a contactor to come to the house or when they have a sick pet etc., so while I can understand workplaces requiring staff come onsite at least some of the time, there still needs to be space for flexbility.
Juliette31984417
Workplaces should be more accepting of work from home, of flexibility and of new ways of doing things. It also is accessible allowing women and people with disabilities or health issues to compete on a more equal playing field. I think that the traditional office structure/culture is about control for control's sake
Zanyt
I do not know what all the fuss is about. My company had working from home well before Covid as they did not have enough room at the office to accommodate everyone and they saved on rent if people worked from home. I was originally before Covid work from home 2 days a week but I was then asked to work from home an extra day.
Since Covid I have been working from home 5 days a week due to health issues and I get my work done better than I would in the office as part of my job is doing reconciliations and to have people talking to you or around you I would not be able to concentrate.
PGS
I prefer WfH, but am OK with a 3/2 split... 3 days at home.
However, we have had problems where people log on in the morning, do nothing all day, log out & expect to be paid. They were fired for their trouble. :)
madi.sons
I can't see a reason why we must return to an office.
If the work is being done, why the push?
Working from home not only allows flexibility for parents with kids, but also an opportunity for people who are limited in their abilities or with illness to work in comfort whilst being able to tend to their medical needs/appointments. It allows for people to take breaks as needed (going for a quick walk, hanging the washing etc) and time away from a screen and work has proven to lead to less brain fatigue.
On a societal and environmental level - less cars in the road, less expenses with fuel, daycare and outsourcing other home/life duties.
Happier relationships because people have time and less pressure.
If the workplace requires team talks, go to a park once a week to meet or coffee shop. Doesn't always have to be a dedicated office space.
dvdlcs
I don't have a work from home option but am envious of those that do.
I'd quite happily go back to COVID times when everybody who could was working from home or otherwise in isolation - the commute was somewhat easier as traffic was noticeably less.
Radda
It has been proven that working from home works! Compamies promoting better work life balance for their employees should continue allowing them to work from home. Happy wife happy life as they say! Happy employees, better performance and higher profits for the employer. It is as simple as that. Lets not complicate things - life is a struggle as it is. Let people enjoy it 🌞
magdi
Government Push to Return to Office
The Liberal party’s suggestion to mandate return to office for government workers reflects a broader trend among some governments and institutions post-COVID.
Their argument is often about productivity, team collaboration, and oversight, as well as revitalizing city centers and economies that depend on office workers.
Some also believe in setting an example for the private sector—if government staff can work from home, why not everyone?
👥 Public Opinion & Worker Preferences
Mixed feelings. A lot of workers got used to the flexibility of remote or hybrid work and don’t want to give it up.
For many, remote work means better work-life balance, less commuting stress, and sometimes even increased productivity.
But like you said, for others, working from home can breed laziness, isolation, and affect physical and mental health.
🤔 Is a Return Inevitable?
It's not necessarily inevitable, but it might be partly strategic or political. Some sectors will always benefit more from in-person work.
The smarter approach might be flexibility based on roles—some jobs need in-person presence, others can be done fully remotely or hybrid.
💬 my Take
I definitely prefer the structure and social aspects of the workplace. Feeling the need to get dressed, show up, and interact with people can boost motivation, focus, and even fitness (just the walking and movement alone). It's a solid self-awareness point— thriving in routine and boundaries that an office provides. It is also about self-esteem and image.
Ziah
I absolutely NEED my spouse to be able to remote work. I am covid vulnerable with long covid and multimplie immunocompromising chronic conditions, and he commutes on public transport for more than 2 hours a day to get to and from work, and his office i open plan, they have "hotdesking" - where desks are shared, no sanitising or cleaning, no ventilation, no air filtration and no plans to institute clean air policies or make people stay home when sick. Most have school aged children, and bring crud to work weekly. It's just a matter of time before hubby brings it home to me again - and this time could easily kill me, It is near-impossible to get antivirals anymore (since the criteria here changed to those with blood cancer, HIV or over 75 only), or you pay upwards of $1400 for 5 days' worth if you have the money. Every day he does not commute or work in the office or eat his lunch in the office is a day that I am protected.
All workplaces that have jobs where remote work is feasible should automatically allow staff to either work from home full time if they wish, or do hybrid remote work - some days at home, some days in the office - but it MUST work for the employee, not the employer. And I myself cannot even get a job anymore, because I cannot get remote-only work. My field mandates in-person work, so there is no way I can work. And I'm too old, tired and sick to retrain into a field that enables 100% remote work now.
Workplaces MUST be flexible - especially where unemployment is so low and so few people are actually looking for work, the employers need to make their workplaces far more attractive than the others so they attract - and retain - staff.
Jude30693100
If it worked for employers and employees and people are satisfied and productive, then we should encourage its continuation. There are generally more pros than cons. Where it becomes an issue and society becomes worse off from this arrangement, then we should talk about making changes.
BCafeS15
I don't mind either way but I prefer to work from the office. It's easier quicker and set up properly for work. I also hate the idea of work invading my home life. Home is where I go to get away from work and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Chantal31945780
Remote flexibility has proven to be beneficial for both workers and businesses alike.
4 day work weeks should also be beneficial too
Bigbear
Some may think that remote working from home is the biggest rort in this country, even the self employed like to have an office to work from because they know that it is more productive to do so.
I on the other hand think that flexible work, including working from home is part of getting the best out of any workforce.
Many men and women in the Commonwealth public service are benefiting from flexible working arrangements, including working from home, which allow them to make valuable contributions.
Banning remote work entirely seems counterproductive, particularly when digital infrastructure allows many government functions to continue smoothly from home.
Maintaining flexible work arrangements, especially in Australia, where natural disasters such as wildfires, cyclones, and floods disrupt daily life. Banning remote work entirely seems counterproductive, particularly when digital infrastructure allows many government functions to continue smoothly from home.
Reasons why banning remote work is a bad idea . . . .
1) Disaster Resilience – Natural disasters can make commuting impossible. Allowing remote work ensures government services remain operational.
2) Public Service Continuity – Government employees can still serve citizens without putting themselves at risk.
3) Reduced Pressure on Infrastructure – Fewer commuters mean less strain on roads, public transport, and emergency response efforts during crises.
4) Productivity & Efficiency – Workers are just as productive (if not more) when working remotely.
5) Employee Well-being – Forcing workers to commute in unsafe conditions is unnecessary when remote work is a viable option.
jtmorri
I believe the Liberal Party backflipped on the public servants to work in the office five days a week policy, two days ago. This is due to it being a very unpopular policy and not accepted by the public.
I have heard people working from home aren't as productive and are distracted easily. In any case a political party can't tell a private business what their policies should be around remote work for their workers. Dutton had a go and influencing the policy for Federal Government workers, which received a lot of backlash and now he has pulled his head in. No idea where he thinks he is going to make cuts and increase productivity to build nuclear reactors that will only supply 4% of the Australian energy grid.