Bank asks people to 'find a rhythm that works best for them and their leader'
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is keeping its flexible working arrangements in place following reported backlash over its decision to get employees back into the office more often.
A spokesperson for Bendigo Bank said the company is leaving it up to employees and their managers to decide when it comes to working in the office.
"The Bank continues to support a hybrid way of working and is committed to offering a flexible working policy for our people, of which around half call regional Australia home," the spokesperson told HRD in a statement.
"In 2026, our people will continue to be encouraged to be in the office most of the time, however, we ask our people to find a rhythm that works best for them and their leader."
The decision comes after reported backlash from the company's instruction earlier this year, when it asked staff to spend 60% of their working week in the office, up from 40%, news.com.au reported.
But while the bank is maintaining flexibility, it still expects office attendance and encourages staff to spend the majority of their time working alongside their colleagues.
Response on office return
The Finance Sector Union (FSU) said it had begun to see some teams at Bendigo reassessing and reduce their 60% in-office mandate.
The bank has also decided to remove its in-office attendance metric from its performance process.
"Make no mistake – your voice contributed to this outcome," the FSU said in a statement.
"Bendigo Bank employees consistently reported that in-office attendance requirements contributed to increased commuting costs, were detrimental to work/life balance, and disrupted family and other caring arrangements."
Meanwhile, Bendigo Bank said it understands the way its people work has changed.
"Our people have shared with us having the opportunity to work remotely some of the time enables them to better balance their working and home lives," the spokesperson told HRD.
But it maintained that connection and relationships "remain at the heart" of how the bank works.
"Being together and working side-by-side helps us build relationships across the business, create a vibrant culture, and leads to better opportunities for us to collaborate, innovate, and learn," the spokesperson said.
Workplace arrangement changes
Many employers in Australia are planning to retain their current workplace arrangements regardless of whether they allow hybrid work or full on-site work, according to a report from Robert Half in September.
The report revealed that just 15% of employers are planning to increase the mandated number of in-office days over the next 12 months, while just nine per cent are planning to cut in-office days for employees.
Andrew Brushfield, Director at Robert Half, said their findings indicate that the period of constant change on office mandates has "settled" for many businesses.
"Maintaining their current stance suggests a market that has found its equilibrium," Brushfield said in a previous statement.
"The predominant choice is a hybrid model, which is no longer seen as a temporary fix but as a strategic standard that balances in-person collaboration with the demand for flexible work."
