Australian finance sector sees increase in full-time office mandates

As employers seek to restore pre-pandemic office attendance levels, one third (33%) of Australian finance workers are mandated to attend the office full-time, according to new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half.

While the proportion of companies requiring full-time office attendance for finance staff remains similar to last year—88% in 2024 versus 87% in 2023—the number of days mandated has increased significantly. In 2023, only 23% of finance workers were required to be in the office five days a week; that figure has now risen to 33%.

The study reveals that only 12% of finance workers enjoy total flexibility in 2024, closely mirroring the 13% of employers who did not impose in-office requirements for finance staff in 2023. The data also shows that five days a week is now the most common attendance mandate, compared to four days a week last year. Approximately 21% of finance workers express dissatisfaction with the number of days they are required to attend the office.

Andrew Brushfield, Director at Robert Half, commented on the current trend of office mandates. "The pendulum is swinging back to pre-pandemic levels where working-from-home was an anomaly rather than an expectation. Staff are attending the office more than they have since the pandemic as many employers have taken the opportunity of a job market with less candidate leverage to request their employees to come back to the office," he said.

Despite the shift, finance workers have mixed feelings regarding the impact of these in-office mandates. The majority (79%) of workers say they are satisfied with their in-office requirements. However, the data indicates that dissatisfaction increases with the number of mandated days. Among those required to work in the office four or five days a week, 23% are dissatisfied, compared to just 8% and 15% who are asked to attend one or two days a week, respectively.

Research indicates that 96% of office workers acknowledge the positive impacts of working in the office. The most frequently cited benefits include better communication and relationship building (49%), enhanced collaboration and teamwork (45%), clearer boundaries between work life and personal life (42%), and improved company culture and belonging (41%). Only 4% of finance workers reported no positive impacts from in-office work.

Alongside the benefits, there are also notable drawbacks. About 85% of finance staff identify negative impacts associated with in-office work, including increased costs such as commuting and lunch expenses (45%), challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance (31%), lack of flexibility in work schedules (35%), and increased stress (33%). Only 15% of workers indicated that there are no negative impacts from in-office mandates.

Brushfield highlighted the complexities of mandating office attendance, noting that it can be a double-edged sword. "Mandated office days can be a double-edged sword for workers. While they foster collaboration and connection, they can also lead to resentment and disengagement if not implemented and justified thoughtfully. Even with staff coming to terms with attending the office more frequently, the key for employers is to create an environment that highlights the positives of in-office work and sparks joy, not dread," he concluded.