'Back into the office': NAB CEO calls end of flexible work for senior staff
One of Australia's highest-ranking executives has ordered the end of flexible work for its senior staff.
NAB's chief executive Ross McEwan has told his senior staff that they are required back in the office five days a week, as part of a global revolt against remote work.
But data suggests they might be in for a fight, as employees push for remote work.
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One of Australia's highest-ranking executives has ordered the end of flexible work for its senior staff. Will Willitts
McEwan told 9News it was important for the company and senior staff to work together cohesively, which is best done in person.
"I've said to the team, it's time to come back five days in the office," he said.
"I'm one for flexibility, I always have been, but we have also got to make sure our people are trained and developed well.
"It's hard to do it when you don't have a leader who's beside you, listening to what's going on on the phones."
Other staff will have to bump up their time in the office from an average of one or two days to two or three days.
His comments fit in with a global executive push to wind back the work-from-home era.
IBM's global chief Arvind Krishna has recently ordered his 260,000 employees to return back to the office or face losing career opportunities.
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NAB's chief executive Ross McEwan has told his senior staff that they are required back in the office five days a week. Nine
The push is also being felt at a local level.
CR Commercial Real Estate Group chief executive Nicole Duncan told 9News it's vital to "work together as a community".
"I think there's a real need for CEOs to take a lead on this," Duncan said.
"The younger generation, the older generation - otherwise we are going to end up with no leaders."
It's a contrast to new data which shows employees don't want to be in the office.
"The number one search term on site for job seekers is 'work from home'," SEEK's Brendan Gibson said.
"If you're a company and you want to get in front of candidates, it's a good way to stand out, putting work from home and offering work from home is something a lot of candidates care about these days."
But it's clear, small city businesses are pushing for the return back to the office.
"It's really been hit hard," Tavistock House Cafe's Marc Moussi said.
"You're going nearly 50 per cent less on a Monday and Friday."
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