Australian companies deploy hybrid work model

As government advice on borders change, some of Australia’s larger companies are delaying plans to bring staff back to offices in Sydney and Melbourne. 

In the state of Victoria, up to 50% of workers can return to the office from Monday without having to wear a mask indoors after the state recorded nine consecutive days of zero community transmission. This was originally planned to commence on January 11, but was pushed back after a cluster broke out in the city’s south-east.

In the state of New South Wales, employees can return to the office, but social distancing requirements means that offices can only be half-full at any one time.

Australia’s Commonwealth Bank, the nation’s largest bank employing over 40,000 people, said that it is going to keep a hybrid model, with staff split between teleworking and working out of the office till February, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. 

READ: Two Cents: The emergence of the hybrid workforce

Telco firm Telstra said that it would allow flexible work conditions after restrictions are eased, as their employees have requested not to spend five days in the office. 

Australia’s second largest health insurer, Medibank, said that its Sydney office would be reopened soon, but a phased return of its Melbourne employees would be delayed until February.