Coalition Reverses Public Servant Office Return Policy Amid Backlash

Coalition's Policy Shift on Work from Home

The Coalition has officially walked back its previous demand requiring all public servants to return to the office, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton acknowledging the policy was a "mistake". Initially, Dutton had promised to enforce a five-day office workweek for public servants if he won the upcoming election. However, after realizing the policy's unpopularity, he has now suggested that public servants should work from home at "pre-Covid levels", approximately 20% of the time.

Admission of Fault

During an appearance on the Today show, Dutton expressed regret over the policy, stating, "We made a mistake in relation to the policy, we apologise for that, we’ve dealt with it." He emphasized that the Coalition never intended for their work-from-home changes to apply to the private sector, countering claims made by the Prime Minister.

Flexible Work Arrangements Retained

Finance Minister Jane Hume reinforced that the Coalition has listened to public feedback, recognizing that flexible work arrangements are essential for optimizing workforce productivity. She stated, "We need the best from our public servants, and that is why there will be no change to flexible working arrangements or working from home arrangements for the public service under a Coalition government.”

Key Changes Ahead

In a significant update, Hume announced there will be no minimum office days mandated for public servants. Additionally, Dutton is planning to unveil a five-year strategy aimed at reducing the public service by 41,000 employees to eliminate wasteful spending. The Coalition will not resort to forced redundancies but will implement hiring freezes and refrain from replacing retiring or resigning staff.

Voter Sentiment

Recent polling indicates that the Coalition's policies, particularly their stance on work-from-home arrangements, have not resonated well with voters, especially among women. A RedBridge Group poll revealed that Dutton's promise to cut 41,000 public servant jobs and end work-from-home policies received unfavorable ratings, highlighting a negative sentiment towards these initiatives.