CEO warns against risks of continued remote work for Australians
Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron warns that Aussies working from home risk having their jobs outsourced overseas, emphasising the importance of collaboration and leadership in the workplace.
Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron has issued a serious warning to employees hoping to maintain their work-from-home arrangements, stating that their jobs may be at risk of being outsourced overseas.
The trend towards remote work is facing a reversal, with more Australian companies retracting their pandemic-era policies and demanding employees return to the office full-time.
Byron, who leads Capital Airport Group and Canberra Airport, highlighted the necessity for teamwork and cultural engagement, stating that the work-from-home model is merely a remnant of the pandemic that limits workers' ability to connect and develop.
He emphasised, "We're tribal as people; we work better in teams, we work better collaboratively, we understand what we're trying to achieve," during an ACT Property Council breakfast, as reported by Riotact.
Byron warned that for those wanting to work from home indefinitely, there exists a substantial risk of their positions being outsourced to countries like India, where labour can be obtained at a fraction of current costs.
He pointed out that Canberra, in particular, is "at risk" due to the trend of remote work, arguing that it undermines the essence of being a national capital. He noted there is a lack of leadership in both government and management regarding work-from-home policies.
"Managers need to manage people and show leadership and mentoring, and they need to say, I can look after my team as a team, not as an individual, and I'm probably going to employ people who live in the same city," he stated.
The Commonwealth public service currently enjoys some of the most extensive work-from-home rights in Australia, as outlined in the Australian Public Service Commission enterprise agreement set in late 2023, which permits uncapped remote working days for 174,000 employees across 103 agencies.
