Commonwealth Bank staff unleash ‘bloodbath’ after boss tells them to get back to the office

Staff at one of Australia’s biggest banks have unleashed a “bloodbath” after their boss announced a big change to their work model.

Staff at Commonwealth Bank have unleashed a “bloodbath” after their boss called time on working from home and ordered the bank’s 49,000 employees to return to the office.

On Monday, CBA chief executive Matt Comyn told his workforce they will be required to come into the office at least 50 per cent of the time, starting from July.

Commonwealth Bank staff were outraged over the mandate to work in the office 50 per cent of the time. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

But the demand sparked outrage among staff who lashed out at management during an internal town hall meeting held to discuss the changes.

Internal comments leaked to business gossip Instagram account The Aussie Corporate – which describe the meeting as “a bloodbath” – show just a slice of the staff’s anger over the decision.

The anonymous comments posted in the online meeting gained hundreds of ‘thumbs up’ reactions of support.

One said their team agreed “one office day per week is a good balance”, and demanded to know if leaders “will sign their name on forcing teams back to the office”.

Another raised concerns about the offices having the space to fit all of the returning staff at the same time, with many teams split around Australia and the world.

Are you a Commonwealth Bank employee with an opinion about being ordered back to work? Email [e-mail] to leave an anonymous comment.

Leaked comments from the CBA town hall describe the ‘bloodbath’ over the 50 per cent return to office mandate. Picture: Instagram

A third asked if there has been “consideration … to embrace more modern ways of working”, given the ripple effects on working families of forcing parents back to the office amid a cost of living crisis.

“In a time of increasing interest rates and cost of living [pressures], the mandatory 50 [per cent] at work is going to put additional pressure on our team members and family who will now require additional daycare arrangements among others,” they wrote.

“Is there a consideration for people working in technology to embrace more modern ways of working?”

That comment gained 354 supportive reactions.

CBA chief executive Matt Comyn (pictured) told his staff on Monday it was time to return to the office. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

A spokesman for CBA responded to news.com.au’s request for comment, saying the bank tried to find the right hybrid working “balance” for staff and its customers.

“Over the past couple of years we’ve spent time testing different working models based on our own insights, regular feedback from our people, and the lessons of other organisations,” the spokesman said.

Based on that feedback, he said, the bank has used that feedback to set mid-July as the date to require “office-based people … to come into the office for at least 50 per cent of their work time over the month”.
“This provides individual flexibility for where work is done for half the working month, as well recognises the important role the workplace plays in collaboration, innovation, wellbeing and career development.”

The move comes after NAB chief executive Ross McEwan said he expected senior leaders to return to the bank’s Melbourne headquarters five days a week.

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NAB CEO Ross McEwan told his senior leadership team he expects in the office five days a week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

A NAB spokeswoman confirmed to The Australianthat Mr McEwan spoke with his senior leadership about meeting his expectation for them as “the trainers and developers of our colleagues and the culture carriers of the organisation”.

“[Mr McEwan] has long advocated for the need for teams to be together regularly to collaborate and problem solve for customers. NAB is a relationship bank and those relationships are best delivered face-to-face,” the spokeswoman told the paper.

“[He] believes the most senior leaders need to role model the behaviours and culture expected of everyone at NAB.”

But the big bank bosses are not alone in desiring a return to the office. A report from LinkedIn has revealed many Australian companies want their teams back in the office, even through workers reported valuing increased flexibility from their employer.

Originally published as Commonwealth Bank staff unleash ‘bloodbath’ after boss tells them to get back to the office