As a vye for the Lord Mayor position in the upcoming election, Anthony Koutoufides -a former AFL Carlton player- has remarked his “first priority” will be seeing a grand return of government and corporate workers into the offices of the CBD.
The statement is made in a bid to see higher foot traffic and retail attendance in order to boost sales and need for jobs after the pandemic crushed a good portion of the retail workforce in the city. Koutoufides aims to work with the state government to introduce new laws that will force workers to physically be in the offices for four days a week.
Naturally, this has met major backlash from Melbournians that have developed new working ways that better suit their lifestyles, work/ life balance, stress reduction and increases in productivity.
Working from home saves hours in commutes and thousands of dollars in travel expenses which is an important note to make in the current cost of living crisis. WFH also ensures that many family-minded employees of the workforce are able to maintain a good relationship between the demands of family and their jobs.
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilkari criticized Koutoufides decision, saying that he has no right or ability to intervene in the arrangement made to suit individual workplaces and workers.
Polls on X (formerly Twitter) revealed the percentage of hybrid workers has risen both during and after the pandemic with 45% or over 45,000 workers enjoying the balance.
Premier Jacinta Allan’s office declared new data revealing Melbournes foot traffic has returned to pre- COVID levels and better. This data effectively reduces the effect of Koutoufides claim to improve return workers to office based work for the benefit of retail. One might also consider how a reduction of WFH options might impact local small businesses that will lose their patrons to city life.
