Back to work welcomed, but industry cautious

As Australia’s two largest CBDs prepare to reach about 50 per cent capacity this week there are mixed feelings among workers.

Stephanie Coughlan and Josh Morris, centre, celebrate their engagement with Kelly Ryan and Bryce Stickland, left, and Carolyn Corrigan and Fern Shannon. Picture: Jane Dempster

As Australia’s two largest CBDs prepare to reach about 50 per cent worker capacity this week, some employees are excited to be meeting colleagues in person while others will look to continue a work-life balance adopted during the pandemic.

The Sydney Business Chamber estimated a 40 per cent return in the Sydney CBD and a 50 per cent return in Melbourne this week after Victoria announced public service workers would ­return at 50 per cent on Monday.

Industry Group chief Innes Willox said the “welcome return” would not only boost the economy but would “drive innovation, spontaneity and productivity as well as boost morale after a tough few months”.

“Our cities need workers back on their streets and in their building to kickstart the economic and emotional revival after a year from hell for many people,” he said. “While opinions vary, many people are desperate to get out of the house and back into the office to reconnect with workmates.

“Young workers appear especially keen to get back to their desks and teams.”

One financial worker, returning to the Sydney CBD once weekly from Monday, is excited to meet colleagues and enjoy more face-to-face interaction. Josh Morris, 38, has been working from home for almost a year, excluding a three-month period from September to November.

“While I initially found working from home to be more productive, the novelty wore off after about six months,” he said.

“Being in the office is a good way to communicate and collaborate rather than just looking and talking to people on a screen.”

Mr Morris celebrated his engagement to Stephanie Coughlan, 37, daughter of Mosman mayor Carolyn Corrigan, at Centennial Park on Sunday.

He said while an initial plan to pop the question in Europe “got thrown out the window”, Centennial Park was the next best thing: “This is like the Paris of Sydney — it’s beautiful here.”

Jessica Gombault, 34, an interior designer at Alexandra Kidd Design in Sydney’s inner-city Potts Point, isn’t sure she’ll return to the office or full-time work after redesigning her roster to a four-day week during the pandemic.

“I tend to be a bit of a work­aholic — even with four days I’d still average 37 hours,” she said.

Before the pandemic, she and husband Nicholas, 35, often juggled their children, June 6, and Louis, 2.

“We realised we were often playing relay with our children,” she said.

“I enjoyed working with my husband.

“Sometime we’d even have lunch together, which was nice.

“It’s a lot less stressful when you don’t have to commute. With kids, it makes a big difference.

Mr Innox said while the return was welcomed, industry was wary of how fast governments could lock down a state.

“Also in the back of industry’s mind is that the rules are constantly and quickly changing, and some governments have repeatedly shown that they will rapidly shut down cities and offices on the flimsiest of pretexts,” he said.