Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put on a mask at his press conference on Wednesday and said he expects federal MPs to wear masks if they cannot distance themselves socially when Parliament meets next week.
But the prime minister said it would be the responsibility of employers to decide on the suitability of the masks or work from home during the winter Omicron wave.
Other big employers contacted by this masthead said there have been no changes to their hybrid work policies, although there is a renewed push to bring masks to the office.
On Wednesday, NAB issued an internal note to its 35,000 employees stating “current hybrid labor agreements [will] continue ”and asking employees who feel bad to stay home.
“We strongly recommend all teammates to wear a face mask inside,” a NAB spokesman said.
“We ask that everyone continue to approach this period rightly … Continue to use your judgment to keep you and your loved ones safe.”
Optus vice president of people and culture Kate Aitken said the company still provided masks, hand sanitizers, wipes and regular deep cleaning to all of its stores and offices.
“We encourage our teams to follow the recommended precautions, including … wearing a mask indoors when they can’t physically distance themselves and staying home if they’re not feeling well,” he said.
On Tuesday, Optus senior executive and former NSW Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian told this headline that all companies found it challenging to maintain business continuity during this latest wave of Omicron.
“As in most jobs, we have learned ways to work. At Optus we encourage people to be physically in the office three days a week and work flexibly from home the other two days and most staff are very appreciative of that, ”Berejiklian said.
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The Commonwealth Bank, which employs more than 43,000 people, also said it was not adjusting its hybrid policy.
“The well-being of our people remains paramount and we will continue to monitor and review our approach as the situation evolves.”
A Medibank spokeswoman said health insurance offices remained open, but staff were asked to consider their own circumstances and those of their colleagues before scheduling in-person meetings.
“Our offices remain open, but big meetings and events will be rescheduled at the end of the year and we have asked our people to wear masks where they cannot distance themselves socially and in meeting rooms with other people,” the spokesman.
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Epidemiologist Professor Brendan Crabb, executive director of the Burnet Institute, echoed Kelly’s warnings Wednesday. He said a combination of vaccines, high-quality respirators, ventilation, testing and isolation was needed for positive cases, as well as working from home whenever possible, “to minimize the impact of this wave and prepare for it. us in a more sustainable way for what comes next ”.
But Peter Collignon, a professor of infectious diseases at the ANU, said that while wearing masks, working from home and avoiding crowded indoor places reduced the risk of contracting COVID-19, mandates to work from from home are not justified. “We’re in a completely different situation now than a year ago,” he said. “We have high levels of vaccination and high levels of immunity to infections.”
NSW Business and Policy Executive Director David Harding said the industry group was not changing its own internal hybrid work policy at this time.
“Business NSW continues to encourage employers to talk to their employees about how best to manage the rising risks of the winter season,” he said.
Harding warned that small businesses “can’t afford to go back to the mandatory mask and stay home.”
With Zoe Samios
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