The public services union has openly rebelled against the prime minister’s decree stating that public sector workers will no longer work from home, defiantly telling its members that “pre-Covid arrangements” will “never return”.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced on Monday that working from home was coming to an end for most of the state’s 430,000 public servants.
In an email sent to its members on Monday, the Public Service Association (PSA) said it had been inundated with queries about the prime minister’s directive.
“Your union believes that there will always be flexibility in the workplace and that we will never return to pre-COVID work arrangements,” the email states.
As evidence, the PSA said it had been in contact with several NSW government department secretaries.
“We have been informed that many offices are unable to accommodate all staff working on-site and that current arrangements will not change,” the email said.
The union said it had also been mobilising delegates to address members’ concerns.
“The more information we have from our members to take back to the Government, the better,” he said, promising to pass on any “new developments” to members.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced that working from home was coming to an end for the state’s 430,000 public servants.
Earlier, Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little confirmed the union would help members affected by the government’s new rule.
“While we recognise that many of our members do not have the option to work from home, PSA has always advocated for flexible working arrangements,” the union said in a statement.
‘This includes, where possible, working from home for those whose roles do not depend on them attending a specific site.
‘The PSA also understands that some workplaces cannot physically accommodate all employees working there at the same time.
‘Any PSA member with issues relating to flexible working arrangements, including working from home, will receive support from their union.’
An email sent by the Public Service Association to its union members had a defiant tone
Several civil servants told Daily Mail Australia that the work-from-home culture was deeply ingrained in their workplaces, with some workers living far from their workplace, even in other states.
“There’s a man in my department who lives in Noosa. He works remotely all week. I look forward to his return to the office tomorrow,” a senior government official sarcastically told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Another one lives in Sydney and I’ve never met her. I can’t wait to meet her.’
A second anonymous government worker highlighted the lack of physical workspaces available to accommodate all employees currently working from home.
“While there should be an obligation to go into the office more, two or three days a week, our offices cannot manage the capacity of this amount of people coming in,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘At the moment, we have to book desks two weeks in advance because there are a lot of people on Tuesdays and we cannot decide if teams should come another day, as this depends on work and family flexibility.’
The public services union is gathering its members’ concerns to take to the government as it fights a sweeping decision to end home working (file image)
Some employees were promised a “hybrid” workplace when they applied for their positions.
“Our jobs were advertised as hybrid roles and we promote a hybrid workplace to help with flexibility and managing work-life balance,” the staff member added.
“Going back to the office five days a week is unattainable for those who live two hours away from the office.”