2 August 2021

Probing the polls: canning a Canberra Olympics and flouting Departmental dress codes

| Genevieve Jacobs
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Office workers

Should office workers abide by an imposed stress code? Photo: File.

Canberrans have little appetite for hosting our own Olympics, either in part or whole, according to this week’s poll.

Hot on the heels of the Brisbane Olympics announcement, Tim Gavel wondered whether we could put our hand up for hosting duties, as we did for the Sydney Olympics (although that didn’t end well politically when the infamous Bruce Stadium grass incident of 2000 caused embarrassment all round).

Readers didn’t think this was a very good idea.

Jibril said: “As much as I’d love to see Olympics hosted here, it’s too small. Brisbane is spreading their Olympics infrastructure throughout the State municipalities to avoid ‘ghettos’ of dead stadiums and facilities in one location after the Games are over. We really don’t need a stadium in each town centre.”

Others were more positive.

“It would be so amazing to be able to host a bit of the Olympics here in Canberra!! I would love to be a part of it – volunteering or watching!!!”, wrote Juz Hawke, while Nick Anderson said, “Maybe not a summer Olympics, but the Winter Olympics might be a different story. If Sochi can do it, so can we. Bring on Canberra 2038!”

READ ALSO Grass from Cairns: recalling the infamous Bruce Stadium incident of 2000

We asked, Could Canberra host part or all of the Olympics? A total of 617 readers voted.

Your choices were to vote No, we don’t have the facilities and there are other priorities. This received 76 per cent of the total or 472 votes.

Alternatively, you could vote Yes, it’s a great way to build infrastructure and put ourselves on the map. This received 24 per cent or 145 votes.

This week, we’re wondering whether you think your boss should be able to mandate what you wear to work, even when you’re working from home.

The Home Affairs Department has had its bid to introduce a contentious new dress code for staff without consulting them knocked back for a second time by the Fair Work Commission.

Home Affairs first tried to implement the new dress code, which bans sleeveless attire and jeans in February, but it was thwarted by the Community and Public Sector Union, which took the matter to the Commission, arguing that the Department had to consult first with staff.

The dress rules, which even cover employees in home offices when they are on video calls, may still be introduced, but only after the department talks with the union and staff.

READ ALSO Home Affairs again told it must consult staff on contentious dress code

Readers were generally unimpressed with the plans.

Robyn Holder wrote: “When men stop wearing their ridiculous old fashioned suits and ties because they have no imagination, then they can discuss it. Until then, leave womens’ dress alone.”

Jess Lucia was even less impressed with the idea: “Yup, cause this looks so unprofessional … Jesus, if I roll my eyes any harder I’ll have a stroke”.

Our question this week is:

Should your employer have to consult with staff before mandating dress codes?

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Consulting is vital.
I am long retired, but the idea of a ‘uniform’ imposed doesn’t appeal.
As a part time soldier I expected to wear unif=orm on duty / in the field.

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