The Government crackdown on hybrid work has highlighted how suburban cafés have benefitted from the work from home trend.
But one economist and a public servant has warned forcing the public servants back to the office may not work as intended.
Dough Bakery co-owners Mia and Timothy Tracey own businesses in both Wellington’s CBD and suburbs, giving them a unique insight into consumer habits.
Mia told 1News their suburban businesses are busiest on Mondays and Fridays”, whereas in the city on those days, “there is just nobody around”.
Timothy said: “We’ll sell more bubbles, more beers, more Aperols on Thursdays now than any other day of the week.”
Mia said it is a “good thing that the Government is telling people to go back into the city”.
“We need people in the city. If businesses thrive then communities thrive.”
But some public servants say they’ll be keeping their wallets shut.
“The $27 I’m spending on the train every day to come in means that I don’t have that money for lunch or coffee,” one public servant, who wished to remain anonymous, told 1News.
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub said when employees work from home, they’re saving money by not commuting, not buying as much food and drink, and on their cars, which don’t wear out as often.
“On average [when working from home] they might save about $100 a week,” he said.
Chief executives of government ministries have been asked to review policies on flexible working arrangements while the Public Service Commission’s working to update the guidance, which will take several weeks.
Upon hearing the news on the flexible working crackdown, the anonymous public servant said they felt a “sinking” feeling in their stomach.
“Hearing that news just felt like another bit of pressure that’s going on at the moment, in a time where it’s quite hard to make ends meet.”
Eaqub said flexible working arrangements are “one of those top incentives for workers”.
“If it’s not on offer in one place, they will search for it elsewhere.”