🟠 News Club - Working on working from home

Working on working from home…

I find it difficult to recall some of the everyday features of the pandemic. Scanning QR codes to check in at the coffee shop. Supermarket staff rapidly cleaning baskets and trolleys with antiseptic wipes before handing them over to shoppers. Masks, masks, masks… 

Those things have gone, but one feature from that time has lingered for many Aussies workers - working from home (WFH). 

I say ‘many’ because it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone has the opportunity to work that way. Big parts of our economy are powered by those who work in the resources, construction, retail, healthcare, and agricultural sectors (to name a few), and it’s not an option for many of them. But post-pandemic, ‘many’ continue to make that choice - many, many more than before 2020. 

And that’s why it’s a red-button issue in this election, particularly today, with Coalition leader Peter Dutton walking away from his policy to demand all public servants return to the office. Reports this morning say it bombed with female voters - who appreciate the added flexibility WFH brings, particularly when balancing home responsibilities. The theory goes they are worried the mandate would ultimately be extended to them. 

It’s rare to see a mid-campaign correction so out in the open - one commentator this morning said it was akin to Julia Gillard’s 2010 campaign reset that unleashed the “Real Julia”.

Lost in this sometimes emotional debate are the facts, so News Club today seeks to inject that. Without further adieu, let’s chip away at it our Club Picks.

1. The Bureau of Stats released updated figures in August last year. It shows that between 1989-2008, around 4-8% worked most of their hours from home, but now, 36% of working Aussies ‘usually’ work from home. That’s a lot of voters… 

2. The rapid changes that brought about widespread WFH arrangements have been a bumpy ride. However, the recent Australian Workplace Index found that many of the issues had largely been overcome. Now, WFH arrangements can lead to happier workers who have more autonomy, better retention, and higher productivity, not least because they avoid the commute. 

3. But most managers want their employees to return to the office. A recent study from KPMG points to 82% of bosses predicting all workers will be back in the office 5 days a week in 5 years. Ben Hamer, a futurist at Edith Cowan University, was interviewed on ABC’s Radio National and said bosses are waiting for the right time to say “Alright, game over, we're going to go back to coming into the office”. 

After we’ve voted on 3 May and the pundits are pouring over the election result, it’s an element I’ll be keeping my eye on.