How many workers have returned to the office in Melbourne CBD

Businesses with workers back in the office have seen productivity gains — but an alarming number of staffers is refusing to return.

Almost 70 per cent of central Melbourne businesses don’t expect their employees to return full-time to the office, a detailed new survey of city workplaces has found.

The study also found that two out of five office workers were only at their desk one or two days a week, deterred by the commute and Covid fears, as well as wanting to have a work-life balance.

The survey, by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also revealed most businesses were now pitching incentives to lure workers back – from free coffee to fitness sessions and even offering to subsidise their transport costs.

The slow return of office workers after pandemic lockdowns has frustrated the city council and operators of city-based businesses such as cafes, bars and shops.

But VECCI chief executive Paul Guerra said he was encouraged by the survey’s findings.

“The results show the return to office has been a gradual process and a large percentage of businesses have adopted hybrid working arrangements,’’ Mr Guerra said.

Melbourne CBD is still sluggish on weekdays. Picture: David Geraghty

“What’s encouraging is that people are coming back to the office and embracing the social connection and enhanced collaboration and learning that in-person working offers.

“It’s also good for our CBD businesses that benefit from greater trade.”

The survey of 88 businesses showed that workers wanted flexibility with their work life, Mr Guerra said.

“We believe it’s up to individual businesses to determine their working arrangements and this is clearly what they are doing.”

The survey also found:

• One in four employees was working three to four days a week, with 19 per cent clocking on for the full five days.

• One in seven had not returned to the office since restrictions lifted.

• About 39 per cent of businesses had shied away from introducing a minimum number of days employees must work, with another 22 per cent asking employees to return for at least three days.

• Where workers had returned, 48 per cent of businesses said they’d seen an increase in productivity.

The return of winter is also deterring workers. Picture: David Crosling

“The return to the office in the CBD continues to be a big talking point,’’ Mr Guerra said.

“We know it’s not limited to just Melbourne, as every CBD across the globe is dealing with the challenges of attracting office workers back.’’

The VECCI survey comes after Property Council data revealed that Melbourne’s office occupancy rates were about 36 per cent.

But the figure dropped to just 19 per cent on Mondays and Fridays.

And last week, it was found that almost half of Victoria’s 50,000 public service workers were refusing to go back to work regularly, leading to calls for their return to help the CBD recovery.