Govt Tightens Guidelines on Public Servants Working From Home

"Bringing employees together in the workplace supports learning and connection, which is crucial for professional development," Willis added.

The New Zealand Government is urging more public servants to return to their workplaces, signaling a shift in its approach to remote work policies. Public Service Minister Nicola Willis announced updated guidelines that clarify the Government’s expectations around working from home, emphasizing that it is not an entitlement but an arrangement that must be agreed upon and monitored by employers.

"Working from home can provide benefits when carefully managed, but if it becomes too widespread, it can have downsides for both employers and employees. There are also broader effects to consider, particularly for businesses in central city districts such as retailers, restaurants, and cafes," said Willis. She highlighted the advantages of in-person work environments, which foster collaboration, skill-sharing, and relationship-building, especially for younger or less experienced employees.

"Bringing employees together in the workplace supports learning and connection, which is crucial for professional development," Willis added. The Public Service Minister has tasked the Public Service Commissioner with issuing revised guidance to public service chief executives.

 

The new guidelines will outline that:

Working from home is not an automatic right but must be agreed upon between employee and employer.

Remote work should not hinder performance or agency goals.

Agencies must track and report on the prevalence and impact of working from home agreements.

Currently, no centralized data on public service work-from-home arrangements is being collected, but Willis has asked the Public Service Commission to begin capturing this information across agencies for comparison.

The Government plans to release this data to the public in a user-friendly format early next year. The updated guidance aims to ensure that public service remote work policies align with the Government's objectives and support a balanced return to workplace-based operations.