A memo from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has instructed public service employees to return to the office.

The directive revealed this week mandates that government workers spend at least three days a week in their designated workplaces, a move aiming to rebuild workplace culture and improve productivity.

The secretary of the premier's department, Simon Draper, acknowledged the potential challenges for employees who relocated based on the expectation that remote work would be permanent. 

“If they've made their [decision to relocate] on the basis that the emergency arrangements that came in during COVID were going to last forever, they may have to make adjustments,” he told reporters. 

However, Draper assured that individual circumstances would be considered, and flexible work arrangements would still be supported.

The directive allows each government department to implement the changes on their own timeline. 

Minns said concerns about productivity and workplace culture as key reasons for the change. 

He cited overseas studies indicating lower productivity in remote work settings and emphasised the importance of mentorship and a collective mission. 

The premier also noted that a significant portion of public servants, about 85 per cent, are frontline workers and unaffected by the directive.

The Public Service Association (PSA) says flexible working arrangements have become increasingly important, particularly for roles not site-dependent.

PSA general secretary Stewart Little has expressed concerns that pushing employees back into the office could lead to staff attrition.