Sign workers won’t ever go back to offices

Despite the push for workers to return to offices, Australians are holding firm and leaning into a WFH lifestyle.

Despite the push for workers to return to offices, Australians are holding firm and now working from their holidays.

Nick Baker, the CEO of Reflections Holidays, a popular caravan park chain, has noticed an increasing number of holidaygoers working while on vacation.

“Our park managers are seeing a growing number of guests working remotely from our locations. This trend is on the rise and reflects a broader shift in how Australians value their time in nature,” he told news.com.au.

“We firmly believe that life is better outside. The trend of digital nomads and workers choosing to operate from holiday locations aligns perfectly with our ethos.

“Those who take advantage of this flexible working arrangement are likely to be reaping the benefits as well.”

Aussies are working from their holiday spots. Picture: iStock

Nick Baker thinks the trend is great. Picture: Supplied

Mr Baker said it is “no surprise” that people are getting creative about where they work from as they embrace WFH life.

“We’ve noticed that guests from cities are arriving on Thursday nights, working from their caravan or cabin on Fridays, and then enjoying a full weekend away without the hassle of peak-hour travel on Friday afternoons,” he explained.

“While taking annual leave for a weekend away was once the norm, Australians are now blending work with short trips or getaways – especially for state-based travel.

Mr Baker pointed out that remote workers just need an internet connection and then they are “good to go”.

It is ‘no surprise’ that people are getting creative about where they work. Picture: iStock

Neve Kelly, 25, is a worker who embraces working from home and on holidays if necessary. She can work from home on Fridays, which has been a game changer and means she can run errands or kick-off plans early.

“Working from home on Fridays gives me better flexibility over my weekend plans and overall planning for my week,” she said.

“I can use my Friday as a day to get ahead of errands, or I’ve even used it as a way to create a three-day weekend by commuting to a holiday destination and working in the downtime and commute time.”

Neve Kelly, 25, is a worker who embraces working from home. Picture: Supplied

Working from home means she can really focus. Picture: Supplied

Ms Kelly said that working from home allows her to have “deep work time periods” where she can completely focus without office distractions.

The 25-year-old believes that bosses and companies just need to accept that WFH is normal now and workers are flourishing with freedom.

“It is easy to have a set-up at home that allows you to accomplish the same level, if not better, of work that you would achieve in the office,” she said.

“With the flexibility of working from home, I can stay on top of my workload while also having the ability to go away.”

Ms Kelly explained all she really needs is a working internet connection to be a productive worker.

“I can visit my family who live near Lismore for longer and make the most of a weekend out of the city,” she said.

“Having this flexibility has radically improved my home life and mental health as I am able to manage all my tasks, both professionally and personally.”

The right to work from home has become a particularly contentious issue in 2024.

In August, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced that the working-from-home privileges introduced in 2019 would be revoked, and all public servants would be forced back into offices.

Premier for NSW, Chris Minns. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Melbourne CBD isn’t as busy as it once was. Picture: iStock

Melbourne workers could not stay smug for long because, not long after, Politician Anthony Koutoufides, who is running for Lord Mayor as an independent, announced it was his “first priority” to get Melbourne workers back into the city.

“We will work with the state government to introduce new laws that government and corporate workers must work at least four days a week in their office to enliven the city,” he said.

Then, to finish off August, billionaire mining boss Chris Ellison declared he doesn’t want his workers going on coffee breaks, as he “wants to hold them captive all day long” to improve output.

The 67-year-old managing director of Mineral Resources made the announcement during his company’s financial results presentation and it was posted on YouTube on the 29th of August.

He went on to reveal he’d also canned any option for employees to work from home, saying it impacts the bottom line.

“I have a no working from home policy. I wish everyone else would get on board with that. The sooner, the better,” he said.

“The industry can’t afford it. We can’t have people working three days a week and picking up five days a week pay.”

Originally published as Sign workers won’t ever go back to offices