Woolworths Pushes 10,000 Employees Back to Office: What It Means for Remote Work

Woolworths Orders Staff Back to the Office

Woolworths has announced that 10,000 support staff will be required to return to the office at least three days a week by October. This decision aligns with a growing trend among companies moving against remote work.

With around 180,000 employees in Australia, this change specifically targets those in support roles. A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the new policy, stating, "A key priority for us in 2025 is to create more opportunities for in-person connection to increase our responsiveness and better serve our customers."

Hybrid Work Model

The retail giant plans to evolve its hybrid work model to better balance the needs of customers with those of its employees. This will include clearer guidelines for in-office attendance, ensuring that support office team members connect with their teams at least three days a week, while allowing flexibility to work remotely for the remaining two days.

Industry Trends

Woolworths is not alone in this shift. Other major companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and Tabcorp, have also recently mandated a return to the office. According to a KPMG CEO outlook survey, 83% of corporate leaders expect a full return to the office within the next three years.

Despite this, a report from the World Economic Forum suggests that working from home is likely to stay, as more than one-third of Australians currently work remotely. Employers are also looking to offer more remote options to address projected labour shortages and skill gaps in the workforce.

Future Employment Trends

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 outlines the urgent need for upskilling and the anticipated trends in employment. To tackle the skills shortage, 65% of employers have identified the need for skilled talent as a challenge, with 45% seeking changes in immigration policies to attract global talent. Additionally, 49% of businesses plan to offer cross-border remote work options, and 63% are looking to tap into diverse talent pools to enhance availability.