Outrage erupts after Bendigo Bank boss reveals the real reason she ordered staff back to the office
A Bendigo Bank worker has been ‘stunned’ after his boss told staff to return to the office citing ‘mental health’ reasons – even though they are still allowed to work from home three days a week.
Marnie Baker, chief executive of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, told staff at an internal meeting on Tuesday that from September they would be required to report to the office for two out of five working days.
Ms. Baker pointed out that the policy change was not about “productivity” but about building better relationships with colleagues.
“Our branches and people on the front lines have been there throughout the process, five days a week. And it’s not too much to ask for the rest of the organization to start coming back to the office more,” she said on the video call, which was leaked to news.com.au.
“It’s not about productivity. I have no doubt that you can be productive, so it’s not about productivity.
“It’s about our own sanity, about being a relationship bank and talking about our relationships with our customers and our communities.
“The relationships we have with each other are just as important, and I know that because I see it, and I see it play out when people are together in the office, the energy levels, the interaction, innovation.
“It’s something you won’t get when you’re home alone, this innovative thinking.”
Marnie Baker, chief executive of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, told staff at an internal meeting on Tuesday that from September they would be required to report to the office for two out of five working days.
Ms Baker said staff would still have the option of flexible working hours, but added she wanted to see more people in their desks.
A worker claimed he and “many” of his colleagues were put off by Ms Baker’s comments about mental health, saying the commute to work was a major inconvenience.
“I can say unequivocally that my mental health has actually deteriorated considerably from having to lose sleep and adding two hours a day to my work day, as well as ‘hot-desking, setting up work based on the activities” of the office where there is a draw as to who and where you will sit these days,” he told the publication.
“I just think in these times we should avoid anyone commenting or trying to comment on what’s best for others, especially when it comes to mental health issues.”
The demand for a gradual return of staff to the office is not new at banks.
Commonwealth Bank recently emailed staff, advising employees must be in the office for at least 50 per cent of their working time per month from July 17.
Bendigo senior managers will be required to work in the office most of the time, while other staff will be required to be in their offices two days a week.
Ms Baker said in a statement that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank understood that “the way our people work has changed”.
“We continue to support a hybrid way of working,” she said.
“Connection and relationships are at the heart of who we are and how we work. Being together and working side by side helps us build relationships within the company, creates a dynamic culture and opens up better opportunities for us to collaborate, innovate and learn.
“Our people have told us that having the option to work remotely from time to time allows them to better balance their work and family life.
“With this in mind, we have asked senior leaders across the company to be in the office most of the time and other staff two days a week.”
