Coronavirus: Productivity put to test as workforce retreats to the home

In an unprecedented challenge, tens of thousands of workers are logging on at home, prompting warnings.

Tens of thousands of Australians are now working from home. Picture: istock

Tens of thousands of Australians are now working from home as a result of the coronavirus in what represents an unprecedented test of corporate Australia.

Some of the nation’s biggest employers have already enacted policies requiring staff to work from home, while many others have started encouraging their employees to work remotely if possible.

But the sudden shift in workplace practices for such a vast number of workers has prompted warnings that productivity could fall sharply as people struggle to adapt to the new methods.

And the exodus of people from offices across the country is ­expected to put immense pressure on corporate IT systems, amid concerns that the sudden surge of remote access could overwhelm company computing networks and servers.

Corporate adviser and workplace expert Conrad Liveris said many companies simply weren’t prepared for such a volume of people working remotely.

Corporate adviser and workplace expert Conrad Liveris said many companies simply weren’t prepared for such a volume of people working remotely.

Most people had never worked from home before, and he said companies should expect productivity to drop by a third in the first week as people adjusted to new practices while also feeling the stress of coronavirus fears.

“This is a highly emotional time and the expectation that people are going to be thinking rationally 24/7 can just be thrown out the window,” he said. “That’s why this is such a massive test for working from home, because you’re dealing with people with heightened emotions who are also being ­trusted to continue to work.”

Mining giant Rio Tinto on Monday required all staff in its Perth office to work from home for the day, in what was a test to see whether its IT systems could cope. Fellow mining giant BHP is understood to be preparing a similar test in its Melbourne office, and could be the precursor to larger-scale ­office closures.

Telstra and accounting giant EY have ordered their Australian office staff to work from home, with Telstra’s decision taking effect from Monday and EY’s Wednesday.

The legal system has also been affected. Large firms including Gilbert + Tobin and Clayton Utz have instituted policies where staff are working from home and courts across the country are taking steps to reduce the risks of the virus.

In a message to clients, Gilbert + Tobin managing partner Danny Gilbert said it would be “business as usual” for the firm and its clients despite the fact a “significant” number of partners and lawyers at its Sydney, Melbourne and Perth offices would be working remotely.

Western Australia’s Supreme Court on Monday announced that new jury trials would be temporarily adjourned and requested members of the public not to ­attend court. It also said directions hearings and case management conferences would be conducted by telephone wherever possible.

Tony Johnson, the chief executive of EY’s Oceania division, said all the firm’s employees had been asked to work remotely wherever possible for two weeks from Tuesday. The company has also restricted international and domestic travel and is repatriating staff overseas.

International and domestic travel has similarly been cancelled at Telstra, along with office meetings and events for more than 25 people. The continued spread of the virus also threatens to affect the annual general meetings for some of the country’s biggest companies next month.