NSW public servants who WFH ordered back to office by NSW Premier Chris Minns

The Minns Government has directed NSW public servants to return to the office with updated advice explicitly stating that employees should be “physically present” at work going forward.

The Premier’s office on Monday sent a government-wide memo detailing the expectation that public sector employees “should work principally in an approved office, workplace or related work site”, with the advice taking effect immediately.

Public sector employees will only be allowed to regularly work from home with formal approval with any ongoing arrangements reported to the relevant agency’s Chief People Officer.

Agencies will also be required to maintain a record of all ongoing work from home arrangements and approvals will be required to be regularly reviewed.

“The more our experience of work is shared, the more united we become,” said the circular seen by The Nightly.

“That means being physically present in our organisations.”

The NSW public sector introduced widespread flexible working arrangements in 2019 in response to the pandemic amid fears of COVID-19 spreading through workplaces.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the Sydney CBD needed workers to return in order to restore the city to its pre-COVID glory.

Our nurses, teachers and police don’t get the chance to work from home — there’s no good reason why other public sector workers should enjoy different conditions.

“This is fantastic news and great leadership by the Premier,” he said.

“Employers are telling Business Sydney we have to get really serious about getting the CBD back to its pre-COVID footing.

“The city needs more foot traffic hence more workers back into the city.”

“Business Sydney has consistently called for the government to take the lead in ending WFH arrangements.”

Mr Nicolau said the private sector would likely follow the public sector in directing workers to return to physical workplaces.

Property Council of Australia NSW executive director Katie Stevenson said she hoped the return to work directive would restore vibrancy and increase investment in Sydney’s CBD.

“Our nurses, teachers and police don’t get the chance to work from home — there’s no good reason why other public sector workers should enjoy different conditions,” she said.

The state government circular issued on Monday means government departments and agencies will need to overhaul their working-from-home policies in line with the new advice.

The memo stated that public assets, including offices and workplaces, should be effectively utilised throughout the week and that government agencies can direct their employees to work from the office if the request is lawful and reasonable.

“While approaches may vary, it is expected that each agency will adopt a policy that provides for all staff to work principally at an approved workplace, office or related work site, and to spread attendance across all days of the working week,” said the memo.