Australian Employers Mandate Five Days in Office by 2025

A recent survey by Robert Half reveals that 39% of Australian businesses plan to mandate employees return to the office five days a week by 2025, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. The trend reflects a broader 'domino effect' where larger companies influence smaller ones to adopt similar in-office policies, with 84% of employers acknowledging this external pressure. While 22% of businesses will require four days and 20% three days in-office, the option for fully remote work has declined from 9% to 7%. Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, noted that employees are increasingly accepting these mandates as workplace dynamics return to pre-pandemic norms, with 63% of employers reporting decreased resistance among workers. The data suggests a significant shift in employer control over office attendance, with many businesses prioritizing in-person collaboration for productivity. This growing trend may impact talent attraction strategies, particularly for smaller enterprises that may offer more flexible arrangements to remain competitive.