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Coronavirus: Working remotely, not remotely working

As COVID-19 tightens its grip, Aussies are now working remotely — many others, it seems, aren’t remotely working.

Beachgoers get up close and personal at a packed Bondi in Sydney’s east on Thursday. Picture: Adam Yip
Beachgoers get up close and personal at a packed Bondi in Sydney’s east on Thursday. Picture: Adam Yip

As coronavirus tightens its grip on the nation and business shuts down regular operations, thousands of Australians have found themselves working remotely — many others, it seems, aren’t ­remotely working.

Passers-by could be forgiven for thinking it was a summer break in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Bondi on Thursday, with the beach swarming with visitors and coffee shops packed out with ­customers.

Many beachgoers were reluctant to discuss their whereabouts for fear their bosses would find out, but for a mere few, the beach’s grassy knoll had become the perfect makeshift office. Lauren McLaren, 26, sitting on grass with her laptop and her friend Sarah Oram, 30, were anomalies among hordes of people revelling in laxed working conditions.

Ms McLaren, who works for an online insurance brokerage, said the transition to working from home had been made easier, with almost half of the company working remotely normally.

Lauren McLaren and Sarah Oram create a makeshift office at Bondi Beach. Picture: Adam Yip
Lauren McLaren and Sarah Oram create a makeshift office at Bondi Beach. Picture: Adam Yip

“About 40 per cent of us were already working from home, so it hasn’t been a huge hit for them,” she said. “But everyone is working away and everything has been going really well so far. I’m finding it really good.”

She said the company had implemented programs to encourage wellness and teamwork during the pandemic. “Online yoga sessions, nutri­tional advice, workouts … even online virtual drinks have been organised for Friday, so the company has been trying to find ways to keep everybody engaged and motivated, while encouraging them to get out and about.”

Her workplace’s decision to shut its offices worldwide was made last Friday and Ms McLaren is confident her colleagues will work as if it were any other week. “Everyone is handling it really well,” she said. “The company has been sending out surveys to see if everyone’s comfortable with the situation.”

US travellers Lauren Titone, Courtney Mitten, Erin Snopkowski and Cody Ryder. They have not been too vigilant with social distancing. Picture: Richard Dobson
US travellers Lauren Titone, Courtney Mitten, Erin Snopkowski and Cody Ryder. They have not been too vigilant with social distancing. Picture: Richard Dobson

For Ms Oram, employed by a real estate company, working from home hasn’t been as straightforward. “I wouldn’t say we are very well set up for remote working because we do a lot of client-to-business conversations … every­body’s using this week to adapt,” she said. “I’m treating it almost like it’s the first week at work where you’re settling down and getting used to a new way of working.”

Her approach to working remotely involves dividing the day into two four-hour blocks, with a four-hour break in the middle.

“The company is really just letting everybody work whenever they want to work, but for people who have to action things each day, working from home would be far more difficult. We would rather be all together, but we are working through it.”

A packed Bondi Beach on Thuesday. Picture: Adam Yip
A packed Bondi Beach on Thuesday. Picture: Adam Yip
Imogen Reid
Imogen ReidJournalist

Imogen Reid is a journalist and digital producer who began her career at The Australian as a cadet in 2019 after moving from a reporting role at news.com.au. She has covered varied assignments including hard news, lifestyle and travel. Most recently she has been focused on driving engagement across The Australian’s multiple digital products.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronavirus-working-remotely-not-remotely-working/news-story/e2a989e687f0945b42f04af2a1bacdf8