Melburnians have settled into a hybrid working routine with the majority heading into their CBD offices two or three days a week, the state's largest business organisation says.
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Almost three-quarters of the city's CBD workers are attending their offices two or three days a week, while the number of people working on-site three or four days has jumped by 5 per cent to 46 per cent, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.
The organisation's chief executive Paul Guerra hailed the figures as good news for city businesses.
However, the number of employees working five days in CBD offices has declined, from 19 per cent in November to 8 per cent last month, a survey by the chamber found.
"While respondents are clearly telling us that they are enjoying the in-person collaboration and social connection that comes from working in-person with their colleagues, we can also see that the number of people committed to working five days in the office has dropped off significantly since November," Mr Guerra said.
There was a slight increase in the number of workers who haven't returned to their CBD offices at all since COVID-19 restrictions lifted, from 7 per cent in November to 9 per cent in March.
More than half of businesses, or 55 per cent, have required employees to work a certain number of days from the office, with 52 per cent asking for three days of on-site work.
The majority of businesses, or 76 per cent, do not expect employees to return to their offices full-time, up from 69 per cent in November.
Two-thirds of businesses are using social incentives to entice workers back to the office, while 38 per cent of employees say they prefer hybrid working because of home duties and work-life balance.
The survey shows consistency in numbers of people returning to their CBD offices on weekdays, and business owners should be able to plan accordingly, Mr Guerra said.
"Ultimately, this is what a post-COVID CBD will look like and we can now turn our thoughts to innovative ways to stimulate our CBD as part of our ongoing path to the future," he said.
Melburnians should expect the CBD to feel busier through the week with the return of more tourists and international students, Mr Guerra said.
Australian Associated Press
