COVID-19 Update

REPORT | JULY 2020

STAGGERING 86% WANT TO MAKE IT PERMANENT

We love working from home

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THE Covid -19 pandemic lockdown has had an unexpected benefit for Western Sydney workers – they got to work from home and a staggering 86% now want to make it permanent.

It was like a dream come true for thousands of nine to fi vers when the Federal and State Governments suddenly called for instant action on Covid - 19 and told us to bunker down for several months.

No more commuting, offi ce politics, nosey bosses or dressing up every day. True, many of us had to arrange for the kids to do their schoolwork on the computer at 9am every day, but we had the chance to spend precious time as a family all week long – and we loved it.

Th is means the Aussie workplace might now change permanently, new research suggests. A survey of people who have been working from home during the pandemic has found that 86% want to continue doing so, at least part-time – even once their workplaces resume ‘normal’ operations.

What is more, 73% believe their employers would be open to it and 22% have already been off ered a work-from-home option. Th e fi ndings come from an independent survey of a nationally representative panel of 1000 Australian employees who have been working from home – full-time or part-time – during the pandemic. It was commissioned by digital event specialist Redback Connect (redbackconnect.com. au). Redback Connect found that, aft er social restrictions are lift ed, 28% of respondents want to work from home full-time and permanently, 39% want to work from home one-to-two days a week and 20% want to work from home three-to-four days a week. Almost three-quarters of respondents believe their employer would be open to them working from home – backed by the fi ndings that 22% say their manager has already off ered such an option, while 56% say they will ask their managers to arrange the option.

We are a brave workforce, with just 14% saying they are too afraid to ask their managers to allow them to work from home and 8% have had their work-fromhome request rejected by their employer.

Th e younger the employee, the less courage they must ask their employer to make permanent working from home arrangements. Almost a quarter of respondents aged 18 to 30 admit they are too afraid to ask their manager to make such arrangements, compared with 14% of 31- 50s and just 6% of over-51s. Interestingly, it also seems younger employees are less likely to have been off ered a permanent working-from-home arrangement, or, if they have asked for one, it has been declined.

In fact, just 15% of respondents aged 18 to 30 have already been off ered a 12

work-from-home option, compared with 21% of employees aged 31-50, and 30% of employees older than 51.

However, it is not all one-way traffi c when it comes to benefi ts. Business owners also have major benefi ts including the chance to reduce costs such as power, computers, stationary, illness and even decrease their offi ce footprint which means less rent.

Workers are more content and achieve more at home according to surveys.

So, how can we work from home productively?

Th e last couple of months of homebased working have also shed light on what digital and virtual meeting tools are needed to increase productivity. In fact, 50% of respondents say working from home would not result in a fall in productivity if they had the right digital tools. A third say with the right technology, their organisation would increase its productivity.

One Way Traffic

When asked about what digital capabilities can help maximise at-home productivity, 55% of respondents say tools that enable them to have virtual meetings or webinars with multiple att endees. Th e same proportion say tools that allow them to share and edit documents, projects or work schedules with team members in real-time. Nearly half of respondents believe they need to able to see the ‘availability’ of other team members remotely, while 45% say they want the ability to share work-inprogress schedules and status reports with other team members. Almost half say they need to present work to stakeholders in the same way as in an in-person meeting.

CEO and Founder at Redback Connect Jeff Down said the survey results showed that, aft er the pandemic, Aussie workers want workplaces to change permanently

“Many people have discovered just how much work they can achieve while working at home – especially if they have the right digital resources. If employers listen to their employees, we may see a decentralisation of the workforce from the cities to the suburbs.

“While simple video and teleconference communications have been used being widely by many organisations during the shutdown, if working from home becomes permanent, organisations will need to onboard a suite of remote-working digital tools to replicate, as far as possible, the ‘in-offi ce’ experience.

“Our research reveals that more purpose-specifi c virtual technologies that off er a broader range of secure, interactive platform features – such as online polling and live Q&As – would help maximise the productivity of at-home offi ces.

“Redback Connect off ers fully-managed webinars, for example, which enable

“Many people have discovered just how much work they can achieve while working at home – especially if they have the right digital resources. If employers listen to their employees, we may see a decentralisation of the workforce from the cities to the suburbs.” - Jeff Down

organisations to engage large, dispersed audiences in real-time with interactive polls, live chats, or Q&As.

“Town Halls and studio broadcasts are also ideal for those who need to present to company executives and stakeholders in the same way they would an in-person meeting – another digital capability our data reveals employees feel they need.”

Q. Do you believe the company you work for can make a permanent change to having employees working from home, at least part-time, without a fall in productivity?

Yes, with the right digital tools, our company would not have a fall in productivity 50% Yes, with the right digital tools, our company would actually increase its productivity 33% No, I think there would be lower productivity if people worked from home, even part-time 17%

Q. What digital capabilities can help you maximise your productivity while working from home?

Ability to share and edit documents, projects, or work schedules with 55% other stakeholders or team members in real-time Being able to have ‘remote meetings’ or webinars with multiple att end- 55% ees Being able to see the ‘availability’ of other team members remotely if I 46% want to have a call or meeting, or need them to check my work Ability to share work-in-progress schedules and status reports with 45% other team members Being able to present work to stakeholders in the same way as an in-per41% son meeting None of the above 12%

Now is the time to get vaccinated

THE easing of COVID-19 restrictions has reinforced the need for Australians to be vaccinated against the flu.

And it is easier than ever with community pharmacies across the country now having trained pharmacists ready to deliver these vaccinations.

Adding to the ease of access to the fl u vax is the fact that additional supplies ordered by the Government have now been delivered so community pharmacies generally have stocks on hand ready to vaccinate patients.

National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia George Tambassis said it was especially important for all Australians to be vaccinated against the fl u this year.

“Th e ongoing COVID-19 crisis highlights how critical it is to remain as healthy as possible to have a stronger resistance to catching it, or to recover quickly if you do catch it,” he said.

“Australia is in the unenviable situation of having to deal with the crisis at a time of the year when we usually face the onset of the fl u season.”

With community pharmacies being easily accessible for the fl u vax, gone are the days when you had to go to the doctor, get a prescription for a fl u vaccine, go to the pharmacy to have the prescription dispensed and then return to the doctor to have the injection.

Community Pharmacy

Now to minimise the risk of gett ing the fl u this season all you have to do is visit a community pharmacy which provides a vaccination service.

Th e need to be immunised against the fl u is not something to be taken lightly.

Th e fl u is a virus which aff ects the respiratory tract and is usually worse in the winter months. Th e main symptoms are tiredness, fever, chills, headache, cough, sneezing and runny nose, and muscle aches.

For some people, catching the fl u can be life threatening. By being vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but also those around you who are unable to be vaccinated or who are at a higher risk of complications if they caught the fl u - such as the elderly, babies and young children.

People with poor immune systems or a chronic illness and those with respiratory and/or heart conditions, or diabetes are especially at risk.

Mr Tambassis said it was recommended that everyone over the age of six months should be vaccinated against the fl u although at present pharmacies in most States and Territories can only vaccinate those 10 years and older.

“It is now easier than ever, and the accessibility of your community pharmacy means more and more people can be vaccinated quickly and easily,” he said.

Crime rates plummet during COVID-19

MOST crime categories like non-domestic vioDomestic Violence Mark Speakman said it was encour• Shop lifting – down 55%. lence related assaults and sexual offences dramataging to see a signifi cant decline in many categories of Some crimes remained stable including, domestic ically decreased during the COVID-19 period crime, particularly for violent crimes. violence assault and certain drug off ences. between the months of March and April accord“Th anks to the resilience of the NSW community, Available domestic and family violence services ing to the latest report by the Bureau of Crime Statistics we have done an outstanding job of stopping the spread include: and Research (BOCSAR). of COVID-19, but also stopping the spread of violence,” • 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is a confi

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Mr Speakman said. dential information, counselling and support Elliott welcomed the report, which compared changes “While BOCSAR’s fi ndings are very encouraging, we service; in a number of crime categories against expected levels know that for many victims of crime this is not the whole • NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463) from previous years, and in light of strict social isolation story. We know that many victim-survivors of domestic is a statewide telephone crisis counselling and strategies. and family violence are suff ering behind closed doors. referral service for women;

“It‘s pleasing to see that crime rates for many off ences “Our message is very clear: there is no excuse for • Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) provide including assaults, sexual off ences and robberies were all violence. Where it’s safe to do so, I urge victim-survivors telephone counselling, information and referdown by close to 40 percent during what was, and still is, to contact our frontline services or contact Police.” rals for men; a challenging time for us all,” Mr Elliott said. Th e BOCSAR report found large decreases in many • Link2Home (1800 152 152) can help refer

“Our police offi cers have gone above and beyond the crime categories including: women experiencing domestic violence to cricall of duty not only to carry out their normal day-to-day re• Robbery – down 42%. sis accommodation; and sponsibilities, but also to ensure the community are follow• Non-domestic assault – down 39%. • Lifeline (13 11 14) is a national charity proing public health orders to stop the spread of COVID-19.” • Sexual offences – down 32%. viding all Australians experiencing a personal

“Th e NSW Government is committ ed to delivering • Break and enter-dwelling (down 29%). crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and 1,500 additional police over four years to ensure we’re • Break and enter – non-dwelling (down 25%). suicide prevention services. able to tackle future crime challenges head on.” • Steal from motor vehicle (down 34%) and car

Att orney General and Minister for the Prevention of theft (down 24%). For more information go to www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au

Expanded juries for shorter trials

THE Supreme and District Courts expanded jury for shorter trials is a pracfor every trial with an estimate of four can now order up to three additional tical measure to ensure there are fewer weeks or more. Th e amendment gives the jurors in criminal trials estimated to disruptions to the delivery of justice,” Mr Supreme and District Courts the ability run four weeks or longer, under an Speakman said. to consider the necessity for additional amended regulation to the Jury Act 1977 If jurors get sick or display common jurors on a case-by-case basis,” Mr Speakto allow trials to continue if a juror falls ill. symptoms of COVID-19, this amendman said.

Att orney General Mark Speakman ment will increase the likelihood there If more than 12 jurors remain at the said the amendment to the Jury Regulawill be suffi cient jurors at the conclusion end of the hearing, a ballot is drawn to tion 2015 is necessary to address potenof the trial to considers its verdict. determine which 12 will participate in the tial increases in juror absences during the Th e amendment reduces the estimatdeliberations. COVID-19 pandemic. ed trial duration where a court could emTh e courts have worked with NSW

“Preventing any further delays to panel additional jurors from longer than Health and the Sheriff of NSW Tracey Supreme and District Court trials is a three months to more than four weeks. Hall to ensure jurors are kept safe and priority. Allowing the fl exibility of an “Additional jurors will not be ordered health measures including social distancing are implemented.

“Juror seating arrangements in courtrooms have been modifi ed to accommodate the additional jurors. Potential jurors are advised before the hearing that they should not att end court if they are unwell. Th ey’re also told that Sheriff Offi cers conduct health checks at court premises,” Mr Speakman said.

Jury trials were suspended from 16 March until 15 June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new regulation will commence on the day it is published on the NSW Legislation website.

Keeping seniors connected during COVID-19

INNOVATIVE programs will support home to protect their health but we want phone, and a call centre to co-ordinate tion and can have a devastating impact on seniors to stay connected with their to avoid an epidemic of loneliness as an the supply of support such as pre-cooked mental health,” Mr Lee added. communities during COVID-19. unintended consequence,” Mr Lee said. meals and warm clothing for the elderly. “With so many seniors now miss

Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff “Th at is why we welcome these innoTh e successful applicants in the ing their regular social activities due to Lee said more than $700,000 in grants vative programs which will keep seniors Combatt ing Social Isolation for Seniors COVID-19, we are re-thinking the way have been awarded to 24 organisations active and connected to their communiDuring COVID-19 grants program were we foster positive social outcomes for across NSW to deliver programs which ties from the safety of their own homes.” chosen to roll out programs across NSW older people.” help reduce social isolation among Initiatives include a social network immediately. seniors. focused on sustainable gardening, dance “Loneliness and social isolation are For more information on successful grant recipi

“It is important for seniors to stay at classes delivered online or over the growing concerns for our ageing populaents go to: https://bit.ly/30cpvon WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2020 13