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- Continued COVID struggles in Victoria has seen NAB (NAB) plan a timeout for two of its CBD offices
- From July 14, NAB offices at 700 and 800 Bourke Street will be put on an indefinite hold
- The combined offices can accommodate for 34,000 workers
- However, this year has seen the lowest office attendance, as Melbourne-based NAB employees work from home in accordance with Government advice
- Wednesday saw 76 new cases recorded in Melbourne, with 36 suburbs to enter strict lockdowns
- Shares in NAB gained 1.87 per cent on Wednesday, closing at $18.56 each
As Melbourne struggles to contain its COVID-19 outbreak, National Australia Bank (NAB) has decided to put two of its CBD offices on hold.
Melbourne’s record community-transmission of the COVID-19 disease has influenced Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to send 36 Melbourne suburbs into lockdown. Wednesday saw 76 new cases recorded.
NAB has now made the decision to put two of its Melbourne CBD offices on a timeout to avoid transmission and save costs. Offices at 700 and 800 Bourke Street in the Docklands area will be closed from July 14 onwards.
Staff were notified on Wednesday. The decision is so far indefinite, with regular reviews planned in the future.
Combined, the two buildings can accommodate for up to 34,000 workers. Although recently, those offices have seen its lowest numbers yet with employees doing their work from home.
NAB People and Culture Group Executive, Susan Ferrier, made note of this in the email sent to workers this week.
“Due to the current spike in COVID-19 numbers in Victoria and continued advice from government to stay home, the number of NAB colleagues returning to our corporate offices remains very low,” she said.
Any necessary duties are expected to place in the bank’s older nearby office at 500 Bourke Street. NAB’s office at 500 Bourke street is currently on track to be phased out by 2022 for a new spot at 405 Bourke Street.
NAB competitors also situated in Docklands, such as Commonwealth and ANZ, are not following suit. However, ANZ does own its headquarter Docklands building, unlike NAB.
NAB seems to be the first large-scale Australian based employer to put the breaks on one of its offices due to COVID-19.
By keeping employees at home and out of the office, savings are expected to be made on security, cleaning, electricity, and water. The bank, however, will still be paying rent.
NAB also spent millions of dollars in recent years upgrading the modern office spaces.
With the bank’s long-standing place in the Docklands area, Susan Ferrier acknowledged the impact this will have on local lunch spots adored by workers.
“NAB has been a proud part of the Docklands community for the past 16 years,” she said.
“We appreciate this is a difficult time for many small businesses and recognise the business that NAB colleagues bring to the Docklands precinct”.
Despite the news today, NAB’s shares on the Australian exchange gained 1.87 per cent over Wednesday — closing at $18.56.
