Whether workers return to the usual workplace environment, a different work environment or continue to work from home is a matter for the head of each organisation.
Under the Roadmap to a COVID Safe Australia, working from home is encouraged in the first two stages of the plan if it is convenient for employers and workers.
It is important that employers undertake an assessment of who should return to work, considering the circumstances of each worker and discussing how they might plan to return to the workplace.
This may include any transitional arrangements based on:
identified vulnerabilities

• carer’s responsibilities

• workers’ concerns

• equipment or preferences

• organisational requirements.

Other considerations:

• lessons learned from the COVID-19 response – continuing flexible working arrangements such as a mixed office/work from home model

• whether scheduling in teams is required based on physical distancing and business continuity requirements – for example, staggering working days or hours

• how team meetings and catch ups will occur to ensure physical distancing can be observed

• reinforcing and promoting good hygiene practices and physical distancing and advising workers to not attend the workplace when feeling unwell.

Workers should discuss options for return to the usual work environment with their manager and what this will look like in the short-term, including potential ongoing remote working arrangements, noting that the usual workplace environment will continue to be the primary place of work.