{"id":8533,"date":"2020-10-05T22:29:34","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T22:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=8533"},"modified":"2020-10-05T22:29:34","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T22:29:34","slug":"nsw-public-service-to-lead-office-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2020\/10\/05\/nsw-public-service-to-lead-office-return\/","title":{"rendered":"NSW PUBLIC SERVICE TO LEAD OFFICE RETURN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public Servants across the NSW Government will begin returning to work in the office in coming weeks as part of a COVID Safe transition.
\nFlexible working arrangements, including staggered start and finish times, will be in place to allow as many workers to return to their offices in a COVID Safe manner, providing a major boost for the Sydney economy.
\nDue to COVID-19 public health orders and the application of the four-square metre rule the number of employees returning to work across Government will differ depending on the office spaces available.
\nAs has been the case for the past few months, employees will be urged to travel outside of peak times where possible to help maintain social distancing on public transport and where unable to social distance to consider wearing a face mask.
\nPremier Gladys Berejiklian said public servants returning safely to the office was an important step in the State\u2019s recovery but warned we couldn\u2019t afford to become complacent.
\n\u201cThe health and safety of the people of NSW has always been our number one priority, however we are also focussed on firing up the economy,\u201d Ms Berejiklian said.
\n\u201cWe are now encouraging public servants to physically return to work in their offices in a COVID Safe way, which will help stimulate city-based businesses and create more jobs across the state.
\n\u201cThe Government will continue to review health advice and aim to ensure we keep people safe and at the same time allow them to return to their normal lives as much as possible.\u201d
\nNSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said public servants returning safely to the office was an important economic signal for not just the State but the country.
\n\u201cOur top-class health response and contact tracing has managed to help contain COVID-19 and we now need to begin returning our city safely to a more normal footing,\u201d Mr Perrottet said.
\n\u201cThis is an important step, and as workers return safely to the city it will help boost confidence and support businesses who have suffered over the past six months.\u201d
\nDepartment managers will be tasked with ensuring staff follow a COVID-19 Safety Plan and utilise flexible rostering where possible to allow travel on public transport outside of peak hours.
\nThese arrangements for returning to work will comply with the current Public Health Orders:<\/p>\n