The recent directive from the NSW government requiring public service employees to return to the office has sparked significant backlash.

This move, viewed by many as out of touch with modern workforce dynamics, contrasts sharply with the approaches of Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.

Jonathon Woolfrey, HR Commentator & Thought Leader explains to Mike Jeffreys that flexibility in the workplace is well known to be important for attracting and retaining talent, and with anywhere up to 50% of the workforce already working from home, it isn’t easy to go back to an in-office mandate”.

Supporters of the move says this is exactly what Sydney needs to thrive amid high office vacancy rates.

Public service workers however aren’t happy saying forcing workers back into the CBD is ‘out of touch’ and won’t help them particularly in the current economic climate.

Is it likely other major employers will follow suit?

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