Transport for NSW forced into backdown on dangerous workplace presence plan

Media release, 8 Feb 2026: Transport for NSW has been forced to back down on its plan to compel workers back into the office, delivering an important win for employees amid the organisation’s ongoing mass restructure.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW Secretary Toby Warnes said the backdown came shortly before proceedings were due in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission concerning the significant psychosocial risks created by attempting to implement a return to office directive concurrently with sweeping organisational reform.

Transport for NSW has now amended its instruction, confirming that any direction to return to the workplace will occur no earlier than 1 July, for some employees, the direction won’t take effect until later this year.

“This was shaping up as a perfect storm,” Mr Warnes said.

“Workers were already dealing with major structural change, job insecurity and competition for fewer roles. Requiring them at the same time to rearrange caring responsibilities, increase commuting and absorb additional uncertainty created a foreseeable psychological health risk.”

The dispute against Transport’s plan was launched after workers reported skyrocketing stress levels, burnout and psychological injury, including cases of self-harm ideation – warnings the union says Transport for NSW failed to adequately respond to.

Vulnerable workers were hit hardest, including women, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse workers, lower paid staff and regional employees.

“This was a crisis created by management,” Mr Warnes said.

The dispute was initiated under the strengthened workplace health and safety jurisdiction specifically designed to address psychosocial hazards.