Deloitte Announces Return to Office Policy for Australian Employees
Deloitte, a global professional services firm, has reportedly announced a new policy requiring its Australian employees to return to the office multiple days per week. This move comes as part of a broader trend among corporations to shift away from flexible remote work arrangements that became common during the pandemic.
According to reports, employees in Australia were informed during Thursday afternoon briefings that they would be expected to work in the office or at client sites. The news has sparked significant backlash from staff, with many expressing concerns over the feasibility of the policy.
One anonymous employee shared their frustration, stating, “Deloitte return to office mandate has been rumoured for a little while with some more senior staff mentioning that it’s coming.” However, the implementation of this policy appears to have raised several logistical issues.
In Brisbane, one employee highlighted that the office doesn’t have enough seating and that hot desking is usually a nightmare. Others echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that the current infrastructure may not support the proposed return-to-office plan.
Another employee commented, “Apparently we told them we wanted better collaboration, communication and engagement in staff surveys. Solution? Come back to an office with insufficient desks to accommodate the policy – go figure? Not sure that is what I meant…” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among workers that the company’s response to feedback is not aligned with practical solutions.
The Sydney office was also mentioned as having insufficient seating, with one employee noting, “Sydney office didn’t have enough seating with the full-time, work from home, 18 months ago.” They questioned how the company plans to fit more people in with mandatory office days.
A third employee described the proposal as “ridiculous and unmonitorable with so many people at client sites.” Some others suggested that the company should “stop de loittering and get back to work. I mean the office.”
Deloitte has not yet responded to requests for comment, but the announcement has already generated considerable discussion within the company and beyond. This follows a pattern seen in other major corporations, such as National Australia Bank, Amazon, Dell, Tabcorp, and Flight Centre, which have all introduced return-to-office mandates in recent months.
Tammie Ballis, a specialist recruiter and career coach, warned that work-from-home options and flexible or hybrid arrangements are becoming less common after the pandemic. She emphasized that employees should not assume their current work arrangements will remain unchanged.
“Employers can decide to change it, and people shouldn’t just trust that the workplace is going to give them what they want,” she said. “As long as they are within the legal rights and within the law, businesses can change their terms and conditions when it comes to your employment.”
This development highlights the ongoing debate about the future of work and the balance between flexibility and in-office presence. As companies navigate these changes, employees are left to adapt to new expectations while advocating for better working conditions.
