Working at Head Office FAQs

Working at Head Office – FAQs

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Re-opening Head Office

Updated 23/02/2022 

When do I return to Head Office?

To give you (and the folks organising stuff like your pass and tech access) a bit of time to get all set for hybrid work, we’ve staggered the arrival of staff returning to Head Office. Check out the arrival list to check your first day in the office.

Will I be heading back to my old seat?

There have been some small changes to the seating plan. We’ve informed managers of teams who will be impacted, but you’ll also find a copy of the new seating plan when you go in.

How safe is it to work at Head Office?

The health and safety of our employees is at the forefront of our planning and decision making for reopening Head Office. We’ve also prepared guidelines and procedures to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in all our workplaces. 

Our COVID Safety Plan includes procedures and guidance on: 

  • Positive cases, isolation and testing
  • Physical distancing 
  • Cleaning, sanitising and ventilation 
  • Mask wearing 
  • Travelling to and from the office 

What do I do if my kids are sick and can’t go to daycare or school?

Our new reality is that when kids get the sniffles, they can’t go to school or daycare – often for days at a time (until they get a negative COVID-19 test).

If you can’t work productively with sick kids at home, or you need to take them to a GP or COVID-19 clinic, please take carer’s leave.

If your child tests positive, it’s likely you’ll have to isolate with them. Again, if can’t work productively from home, please take carer’s leave – apply for this on ESS. 
 

Getting to Head Office

I’m new and I’ve never been to Head Office. Where is it located?

Head Office is located on Tower A, Levels 3 – 5, 260 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000. The check-in for our newer staff will be on Level 4.

What’s the best way to get to Head Office?

If you’re travelling by train, Central is the closest station. Catching the bus? There are plenty of stops along Elizabeth Street and Eddy Avenue.

What precautions should I take on public transport? 

Where it's practical, please consider travel options such as cycling and walking.

Here's what you can do to keep yourself and others safe on public transport:

Estimated capacity in the Trip Planner and Opal Travel App

Estimated capacity information is now available for all metro and train, Opal-enabled bus, ferry and light rail services in the Trip Planner and Opal Travel App to help you plan ahead. Based on previous data, the estimated capacity is used whenever real-time data is unavailable.

If you see:

A one person icon and/or green indicator shows space available for physical distancing.

A two person icon and/or amber/orange indicator shows limited space to maintain physical distancing from other passengers.

A three person icon and/or red indicator shows physical distancing from other passengers cannot be observed.

 

  • Face masks are currently mandatory on public transport in NSW.
  • Practice physical distancing. 
  • Look for the green dots – the safest places to sit or stand.
  • Use Opal or other contactless payment options.
  • Avoid touching hard surfaces.
  • When pressing buttons, try to use your elbow, or create a barrier with your sleeve or a tissue.
  • Travel with hand sanitiser and tissues. Use these often.
  • Cover sneezes or coughs with your inner elbow or with a tissue that is then discarded.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Wash your hands and clean your phone often. 
  • Check out Transport NSW for more information.

What are the transport operators doing to keep us safe?

Find out what your state’s public transport system is doing: NSW

Am I considered ‘at work’ if I work on my laptop while travelling?

Not really. Plus, it’s not great for cybersecurity or privacy protection to work in a public space where there’s a risk of others casually viewing your work.

Your health

I’m anxious about returning to the office – what support is available?

We understand that it can be confronting after months of remote working / isolation.

It might reassure you to know that a routine and social contact can help to manage anxiety. A number of those who’ve already returned to the office have found this (encouraged by their GPs).

If you’d like support, your options include:

Should I wear a mask in the office?

While masks are are still encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others, it is no longer mandatory for indoor workspaces.

If you are unable to physically distance it’s important that you wear a mask to protect yourself and those around you.

We have a small supply of disposable masks we can give you if you start feeling sick at work and don’t have your own. Please see the People & Learning team if this is the case. 

How will you inform me if there is a positive case in the office?

If we identify a positive case at our offices, we'll notify staff via internal email. 

I’m in the office and I think I might have a fever. What should I do? 

Please see one of our first aid officers right away – their names are listed on each floor. They have non-contact thermometers, masks and gloves they can use to check your temperature.

As a rule, if you’re feeling unwell or experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, head home without delay, get tested and seek medical advice. Also let your manager know what’s going on.

I had specific ergonomic equipment. Will I still have these? 

If you were supplied with a specific keyboard, mouse or wrist rest for ergonomic reasons, these should be at your desk. If not, please see your manager as these have been set aside for you. 

Sit-stand desks will be set up for you at your new desk. If it’s not set up when you return, chat to your manager and we can arrange for this to get sorted. 

You’ll also find footrests set to the side of each floor. If yours is missing, feel free to take one to use at your workstation.

Where can I find more info on how to ergonomically adjust my chair and desk? 

Here are some useful tips. While these instructions might not be an exact match for the chair you use, it provides a good overview of some of the ergonomic features that are common to most office chairs at Head Office.  

Office hygiene 

I think I use hand sanitiser properly… Am I?

No harm in making sure your technique is on point: watch this video for tips on using hand sanitiser

Ah, hand washing. Surely I have this down pat now?

How about a quick refresher? See this video on washing your hands correctly
 

Can I keep stuff on my desk overnight?

As part of our Clean Desk Policy, we need you to make a habit of clearing your desk space before you leave the office each day. Keep your coffee mug, papers and belongings in your drawer. The desk phone, keyboard, mouse and docking station can stay on the desk. Take your laptop and headset home with you each night.

Here’s what your desk should look like:


Keeping your desk clear is important for a few reasons:

  1. It makes it quick and easy to sanitise your own desk each morning.
  2. If you or someone you work very closely with test positive, you’ll need to stay home and isolate. You’ll need your laptop and headset with you and cleaners will need your desk clear for deep cleaning.
  3. If you wake up feeling unwell, you won’t be in the office that day; maybe not for a while.
  4. Government restrictions may start again with little or no warning if the number of positive cases increases. We may go home one day and not be able to return to the office the next.
  5. Only desks cleared of personal items will be sanitised by the cleaners once every week (as they are not allowed to move or touch your personal items).

 

Can I use as many sani-wipes as I want?

Well, we actually need you to use them sensibly and economically. Use enough wipes to sanitise your phone, pass and workstation each morning – 3 wipes will probably do the job.

Use them as quickly as possible once you remove them from their container. If wipes dry out, they don’t work. Use the detergent sprays and paper towels provided to clean non-electronic surfaces, like the kitchen benches and lunch tables.

The tea towels are gone!

Please use the paper towels provided. 

Where can I find more info on Head Office (floor plans, facilities etc.)?

Check out the Head Office Guide.

The guide also contains info on the use of kitchen supplies (what’s available and what you’ll have to BYO).  

Tech and IT 

What happened to the “THF-Mobile Devices” wi-fi network?

We've had to switch this network off because it has contributed to repeat account lockouts. You can instead connect to the "THF-Staff" network. If you need to connect to the network using your personal device, here’s a quick guide.

I forgot my USB receiver for my wireless mouse and keyboard at home. Am I doomed?

No biggie! Most workstations will have a keyboard and mouse (that doesn’t need a receiver). If you need a spare, the friendly IS team can help.

My wireless keyboard and mouse don’t seem to work. Should I call IS now?

Our friendly IS team is always ready to help but before you get in touch, try these simple steps first: 

  • Check that your keyboard or mouse is switched on 
  • Check if you need to swap out the batteries (You can grab batteries off facilities or check stationery for your department). 

 

More info 


 

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