Masks are set to come off at midnight on Friday, along with the recommendation to work from home. However, there is no expectation of an immediate return to city offices. Kathryn van der Merwe, group executive for Talent & Culture at ANZ, shared insights about their approach in a conversation with Rafael Epstein on ABC Radio Melbourne Drive.
When asked if employees would be returning to the office next week, van der Merwe expressed optimism: "We hope so!" She acknowledged the difficulty in predicting exact numbers but emphasized that they are welcoming people back starting Monday. Van der Merwe noted a growing desire among employees to reconnect after prolonged separation.
The timeline for returning to full capacity remains uncertain. Van der Merwe stated, "It’s hard to tell," referencing previous experiences where adjusting took several months. ANZ plans to encourage regular and frequent office attendance while allowing teams flexibility in determining what works best for them.
Regarding working from home policies similar to Telstra's two days a week model, van der Merwe anticipates a similar arrangement: "We’re really trying to say about half the time in the office, half the time from home." This could vary depending on team needs and individual preferences.
Compensation adjustments for remote work are not currently part of ANZ's strategy. Van der Merwe explained that initial support was provided two years ago for setting up home offices and highlighted savings such as reduced commuting costs.
Discussing whether these changes represent a significant shift for ANZ, van der Merwe remarked on the existing flexible work practices but acknowledged new complexities introduced by hybrid working models. She stressed the importance of adapting and supporting both employees and leaders through this transition.
Van der Merwe concluded by recognizing diverse employee experiences over the past two years and the need for supportive adaptation as some find returning exciting while others feel daunted.