[Australia] Pushback against NSW Premier’s return to office order

In Australia, the New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns has been challenged by an email suggesting workers will not need to follow a newly announced mandate that will force them back into the office. An email written by his own uncle, news.com.au reports.

On August 5, Chris Minns announced that working-from-home privileges introduced in 2019 would come to an end and all public servants be forced back into the office.

However, an email reportedly sent to NSW Health staff by Mr Minns’ uncle the NSW Ministry of Health deputy secretary of people, culture and governance Phil Minns seemed to contradict this.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the email read, “Please note the availability of flexible work arrangements are not changed by this circular.”

“In line with most contemporary workplaces, we recognise flexible arrangements help attract and retain talented people, particularly with carer responsibilities and other commitments outside of work.”

Phil Minns said NSW Health recognised the benefits of flexibility within the workforce and stated that the government’s “starting position” is that work was “principally” done in an approved workplace.

Mr Minns added that the mandate did not set out a “particular pattern of attendance”.

Speaking on 2GB on August 7, Premier Minns reportedly said his uncle was probably referring to work-from-home arrangements that were put in place years before the pandemic.

“All I can say is I think Phil is referring to the existing arrangements that have been negotiated between the union and government for decades, so that might be job sharing arrangements, early departure times to pick up the kids, but that’s not related to the Covid measures,” the Premier said.

“The WFH Covid measures and the changes the government announced as of Monday apply to the provisions that were brought in during a health crisis which obviously no longer apply.”

Premier Minns added that the mandate was “government-wide”.

“Ninety-five per cent of the health workforce are actually in hospitals and can’t work from home, but across NSW this needs to be implemented for the public service in the state,” he said.

Source: news.com.au

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In Australia, the New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns has been challenged by an email suggesting workers will not need to follow a newly announced mandate that will force them back into the office. An email written by his own uncle, news.com.au reports.

On August 5, Chris Minns announced that working-from-home privileges introduced in 2019 would come to an end and all public servants be forced back into the office.

However, an email reportedly sent to NSW Health staff by Mr Minns’ uncle the NSW Ministry of Health deputy secretary of people, culture and governance Phil Minns seemed to contradict this.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the email read, “Please note the availability of flexible work arrangements are not changed by this circular.”

“In line with most contemporary workplaces, we recognise flexible arrangements help attract and retain talented people, particularly with carer responsibilities and other commitments outside of work.”

Phil Minns said NSW Health recognised the benefits of flexibility within the workforce and stated that the government’s “starting position” is that work was “principally” done in an approved workplace.

Mr Minns added that the mandate did not set out a “particular pattern of attendance”.

Speaking on 2GB on August 7, Premier Minns reportedly said his uncle was probably referring to work-from-home arrangements that were put in place years before the pandemic.

“All I can say is I think Phil is referring to the existing arrangements that have been negotiated between the union and government for decades, so that might be job sharing arrangements, early departure times to pick up the kids, but that’s not related to the Covid measures,” the Premier said.

“The WFH Covid measures and the changes the government announced as of Monday apply to the provisions that were brought in during a health crisis which obviously no longer apply.”

Premier Minns added that the mandate was “government-wide”.

“Ninety-five per cent of the health workforce are actually in hospitals and can’t work from home, but across NSW this needs to be implemented for the public service in the state,” he said.

Source: news.com.au

(Link and quotes via original reporting)