A memo from NSW Premier Chris Minns's department has ordered government employees to work primarily from the office.
The department's secretary said public service workers who relocated may have to be flexible to comply with the directive.
Government departments will implement the change according to their own timeline.
abc.net.au/news/nsw-government-workers-public-service-return-to-office/104194098 Share Share articleSome NSW government workers who have been instructed to return to the office have been told they might have to make some big adjustments.
Premier Chris Minns on Monday sent out a memo ordering public service workers to work out of an office for at least three days a week.
The premier's department secretary Simon Draper told ABC Radio Sydney employees who decided to relocate as a result of work-from-home arrangements may have to be flexible.
"If they've made their [decision to relocate] on the basis that the emergency arrangements that came in during COVID were going to last forever they may have to make adjustments," he said.
"We will consider people's individual circumstances."
Mr Draper insisted that flexible work would still be possible despite the directive and does not curtail like job sharing and flexible hours arrangements.
"Work from home came in largely because of COVID. It was an emergency measure," he said.
"The starting point is that work is done in a workplace people will then be able to talk to their employer in their teams and make other arrangements if they have needs to."
Emails sent to NSW Health and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) staff in response to the memo show departments will implement the change according to their own timeline.
The premier's uncle Phil Minns is among the senior public servants taking his nephew's plans on notice.
In an email sent to NSW Health staff, Phil Minns, the deputy secretary of people, culture and government, said that "the availability of flexible work arrangements within NSW Health will continue and those arrangements are not changed by this circular".
That is in line with the government's advice that flexible work arrangements are valued and that is not changed by the directive.
"The updated advice does not mandate any particular pattern of attendance, but it is a starting position that work is principally done in an approved workplace in NSW," he said.
The email to staff said clarity was being sought about how the directive will impact work arrangements and that "in line with most contemporary workplaces, we recognise flexible arrangements help attract and retain talented people".
TfNSW secretary Josh Murray also wrote to staff to say his department will "adapt our own policies to align with the circular and fit the diverse work and workplaces we need at Transport".
"We value our people who work in many different locations and environments across NSW and will continue to support flexible work arrangements in line with the policies and circular," Mr Murray wrote.
TfNSW has set up a working group to develop a plan moving forward.
"For people currently hybrid working, please continue as usual while we examine the new requirements," he said.
About 85 per cent of public servants work on the front line and will not be affected.
While Opposition Leader Mark Speakman supported the push he criticised the way the premier approached the issue and urged him to end the "insurrection" by senior public servants.
"A grand announcement about work from home being curtailed but we've seen the public service revolt against the premier's edict," he said.
"They certainly haven't been giving clear instructions to other senior public servants to make sure they're falling in line."
But the premier's department said all senior officials were aware of the plans and on board, and explained the directive will take time to implement.
"There was no expectation that at midnight on Monday that everybody was going to change their work practice that would have been completely impractical," Mr Draper said.
"We have the support of the whole public service leadership on this. we have enormous support."
The premier has not ruled out occupying more offices if needed.
Posted Wed 7 Aug 2024 at 1:58am Wednesday 7 Aug 2024 at 1:58am Wed 7 Aug 2024 at 1:58am , updated Wed 7 Aug 2024 at 2:40am Wednesday 7 Aug 2024 at 2:40am Wed 7 Aug 2024 at 2:40am
