Aussies who wish to work from home at least three days a week have celebrated a major win as more bosses accept it as ‘the norm’.
A new survey of ‘s top CEO’s has revealed employers may have given up on a push for workers to return to the office five days a week.
According to The n’s 2024 CEO Survey, a growing number of companies are now embracing the hybrid model in their workplaces.
The hybrid model allows employees to work from home some days and others in the office and is considered a more flexible approach.
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas slammed the results on Thursday, arguing that workers would only get the most out of their jobs by being in the office.
‘We want people working from our city offices. That is the lifeblood of any capital city, of any big city,’ he told Channel Seven’s Sunrise.
ns pushing for more work days at home have celebrated a major win (stock image)
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas (pictured) believes working from home will not last long-term
‘While some may have given up for the moment, I’m not convinced that this is going to last long-term and for lots and lots of reasons.
‘The best place for most employees is in the office with their fellow team members where the culture of the office can really start to run.’
Amanda Rose, from Western Sydney Women, said she was ‘pro hybrid’ and that expectations of working in the office should be considered on a ‘case-by-case’ basis.
‘It is important to have people working face-to-face, I agree with that,’ she said.
‘The hybrid workplace helps a great deal, especially for working mums who have to juggle dropping children off to daycare and school – it saves them hours in travel.
‘I think this is great that they’ve come to this, it might change in the future but let’s incentivise people to come in instead of punishing them.’
In the survey, CEO’s cited the role of in-person collaboration, teamwork, career development and productivity in their arguing for a permanent return to the office.
Many said younger employees especially would benefit from in-person work.
Up to 70 CEO’s from across all sectors of the workforce show that three days is the new five day working week in the office.
Some offices had stricter requirements than others.
ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott requires his workers to spend 50 per cent of scheduled work time in the office but said expectations differed depending on the role.
The hybrid approach allows employees to work from home some days and others in the office
ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott requires employees to complete 50 per cent of work in the office
Energy major AGL requires corporate employees to work three days in the office.
Two of these days are ‘anchor days’ when all members of a team have to be in the office however the third day is of their choosing.
CEO of Commonwealth Bank Matt Comyn said employees were required to spend at least 50 per cent of their working month in the office.
Westpac requires workers to spend two or three days in the office per week while Telstra has adopted the hybrid approach.
Citi has a minimum requirement of three days in the office.
Up to 37 per cent of ns regularly work from home, according to data from the n Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Up to 60 per cent of managers and other professionals are most likely to work from home compared to 22 per cent of other workers.