Friday on my mind: The workers avoiding the CBD
Kanebridge News
Share Button

Friday on my mind: The workers avoiding the CBD

Staff incentives fail to fire with workers as NSW State Government gets a jump start on the weekend

By KANEBRIDGE NEWS
Tue, Sep 26, 2023 11:08amGrey Clock 2 min

Massages, pilates classes, free food and beverages and discounted parking have not been enough to lure office staff back to the CBD, a commercial property expert said this week.

Head of research at Ray White Commercial, Vanessa Rader said despite best efforts by employers, staff have been less inclined to come into the city on Fridays, prompting calls for the introduction of a four-day week.

“While office owners and employers are doing their bit to encourage staff interaction in the office by way of perks and experiences such as massages, pilates classes, free cannolis and iced lattes, occupancy levels remain subdued,” she said. “Now Transport NSW has weighed in, Sydney’s public transport prices are set to increase next month, weekly caps however have remained unchanged and Friday is now considered a weekend.”

Head of research at Ray White Commercial, Vanessa Rader

Last weekend, NSW Transport announced that weekend fares will also apply on Fridays, providing all-day travel for no more than $8.90 for adults on metro, train, light rail and bus services.

“However, half-price trips after eight journeys will no longer be available when the fare change comes into effect,” the statement said. “Fewer people are travelling five days a week, resulting in lower uptake of the half- price trips benefit, which has dropped from 24 percent pre-Covid to 14 percent in 2023.”  

City office vacancies are at their highest rates since the late 1990s, with Sydney and Melbourne recording 11.5 percent and 15 percent respectively. Ms Rader said there were several factors keeping occupancy rates consistently low.

“The prolonged historically low 3.7 percent unemployment rate is a stumbling block for many businesses, the lack of quality talent leading to employers having to provide greater flexibility to secure quality staff,” she said. “Hybrid working models allow remote working, be it from home, in regional areas or even interstate with limited need for “in the office” interaction continuing to be commonplace.”

However, data released by CoreLogic last month showed the desire for regional areas has cooled, with key areas such as the Richmond-Tweed, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands in NSW and Ballarat and Geelong in Victoria experiencing falls in values between -10.4 percent and -20.4 percent, indicating a return to city areas.

In the meantime, Ms Rader said the case for a four-day week to entice workers back to the city while maintaining work-life balance is growing.

“The mandating of staff back into the workplace for a four-day week, would do much to stimulate the office market’s demand for space, while promoting better work/life balance, reduced stress and growth in health benefits,” she said. “(This would) leave the three-day weekend to explore Sydney on public transport at a discounted rate, or travelling across toll roads, growing family time and healthy lifestyle habits.”



MOST POPULAR

International AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit in Sydney on June 18, with tickets selling fast.

Scotch whisky expert, luxury hospitality strategist and Keeper of the Quaich inductee Ross Blainey is bringing a new philosophy of luxury experiences to Citizen Kanebridge.

Related Stories
Property of the Week
Property of the Week: Family’s dream home could rewrite Brisbane records
By Kirsten Craze 29/05/2026
Property
What property leaders need to know about AI before everyone else
By Staff Writer 26/05/2026
Property
RARE DIAMOND BAY FRONT-ROW HOME HITS MARKET
By Kirsten Craze 26/05/2026
What property leaders need to know about AI before everyone else

International AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit in Sydney on June 18, with tickets selling fast.

By Staff Writer
Tue, May 26, 2026 2 min

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping business, investment and competitive advantage, and now Australia’s property industry is being told it cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. 

International keynote speaker and AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit at RACA Sydney on June 18, bringing rare insight into how forward-thinking property professionals can use AI to move faster, make smarter decisions and gain a serious edge in an increasingly competitive market. 

Justin Kabbani, International keynote speaker and AI strategist

Tickets to the exclusive summit are already selling fast. 

Having worked with global brands including Uber, PepsiCo, Mattel and Destination NSW, Kabbani has become one of the leading voices on how businesses can turn AI from a buzzword into a genuine commercial advantage. 

Known for his high-energy and highly practical presentations, Kabbani cuts through the hype surrounding AI and focuses on what actually matters: productivity, growth, leadership and real-world business results. 

His keynote will explore how AI is already transforming industries globally, and what property developers, investors, agents and business leaders need to understand now to avoid being left behind. 

Importantly, the session is designed to be practical, not theoretical. 

Attendees will hear how AI can be applied across marketing, sales, operations and decision-making to improve efficiency, sharpen strategy and create new competitive advantages in a rapidly changing business environment. 

The summit will also feature an exclusive roundtable bringing together leading property and finance experts for a candid, off-the-record Q&A exploring the forces shaping investment, development and wealth creation across Australia’s prestige property market. 

The event follows the success of last year’s sold-out summit and will once again be hosted by respected MC John Alten. 

With AI becoming one of the biggest disruptors facing business, the June 18 summit is expected to attract strong interest from property professionals, investors and business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve. 

The followings are included in every ticket:

  • Full access to keynote sessions and the interactive roundtable.
  • Premium selection of canapés and beverages throughout the evening.
  • Complimentary annual digital subscription to two leading publications (Wall Street Journal and Kanebridge Quarterly), providing essential coverage of local and global markets, property trends and investment strategy.

Tickets are limited and selling quickly and you can buy here

MOST POPULAR

The PG rating has become the king of the box office. The entertainment business now relies on kids dragging their parents to theatres.

A 30-metre masterpiece unveiled in Monaco brings Lamborghini’s supercar drama to the high seas, powered by 7,600 horsepower and unmistakable Italian design.

Related Stories
Lifestyle
A whisky worth gifting: LARK’s Fire Horse Edition honours Lunar New Year in style
By Jeni O'Dowd 04/12/2025
Lifestyle
Conservative Young Women Flip the Script: Kids First, Then Career
By RACHEL WOLFE & PAUL OVERBERG 29/12/2025
Lifestyle
Below 40? You Should Already Be Getting Screened for Cholesterol, Heart Attack Risks
By Betsy McKay 16/03/2026
0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop