Union moves to call bluff on office capacity for Chris Minns’ workplace presence policy

Public Service Association-aligned workers at Transport for NSW will flock to the office tomorrow (1 May) to test whether there is enough available office space to accommodate workers amid Chris Minns’ impending “workplace presence policy”.

Tomorrow (1 May), Transport for NSW (TfNSW) workers have been encouraged to show up at their respective offices/hubs spread across the NSW region to challenge the claim that TfNSW spaces are fit to accommodate a mass return of workers.

This comes off the back of numerous allegations from members of the Public Service Association (PSA) that many offices in their current state don’t have the facilities nor equipment to accommodate workers who are returning due to NSW Premier Chris Minns’ “workplace presence policy” – announced back in August 2024.

As previously reported by HR Leader, during feedback around the implementation of Minns’ policy, members claimed that they’ve been forced to sit “on the floor” when they come into the office as there is “no desk for them.” Others were forced to leave the office and work from a nearby coffee shop.

“Ninety or so [could] turn up to an office for an in-person day, and there [are] only 20 desks,” said one of the members.

These issues were delivered by members despite the fact that the policy has yet to come into full implementation, raising questions about the potential fallout when the 15,000-strong workforce is pushed back into these offices.

In a previous statement to HR Leader, a TfNSW spokesperson refuted claims that workers were forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of desks.

“We did not receive feedback from our people during the workplace presence consultation period that suggested any employee of ours has had to sit on the floor to do their work,” the spokesperson said.

“For years, all our non-frontline employees have had the option to book desks, meeting rooms, and other spaces in advance of getting to the office, be it their primary work location or at another one of our office spaces across the state.”

In a PSA correspondence to staff regarding tomorrow’s “start work” action, the union touched on the lack-of-office-space claims, stating: “A common issue members have raised around the policy is that there simply isn’t enough office space to accommodate the changes. If there is plenty of space, then having staff in the office on these days should not be an issue.”

Currently, the PSA and TfNSW are still undergoing a consultation process on how Minns’ workplace presence policy will be implemented – with the NSW department currently reviewing feedback from the union’s members.

Although the PSA acknowledged that its most recent discussions with the NSW department “were productive in terms of understanding the issues with the policy as it currently stands”, its members still “overwhelmingly endorsed taking action”.

Dutton’s backflip undercutting Minns’ ‘workplace presence’ push

After Peter Dutton was effectively forced to walk back his proposed RTO mandate policy for Australian public sector workers, the NSW Premier was quickly confined to an awkward position between political allegiance and policy stances – being a representative of the Labor Party, but a “workplace presence” advocate.

Minns and Dutton’s policies were effectively being lumped together, including when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised anti-flexibility proposals, labelling them as “out of touch”. Despite Albanese’s stance, Minns stood firm in his support of the policy, claiming he is “a big believer” in workplace presence.

“We’re not changing our policy in relation to WFH, it was the right decision to make,” said Minns.

“We think it’s made a big difference, not just for the Sydney economy and workplaces closer to the CBD, but it’s hugely important for the future of the public service in the state … I think it’s the right decision for the government.”

“We had to battle through criticism, but I’m glad we’ve done it.”

Despite the staunchness from Minns, many NSW public sector workers have refused to bend the knee, with workers at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (NSW DCJ) having also raised numerous complaints over the policy.

Many NSW DCJ workers are seeking clarity on whether those with family responsibilities, significant commute times (regardless of whether the employee is regional or metro), and injury or illness would be granted the approval of flexible work under the new policy.

The PSA congregation is set to kick off tomorrow at 9am at one of the key office spaces in Sydney’s CBD.

More to come.