Working from home is good for some | Teams get makeover | Pampered fur babies
This week InSider finds Rupert Murdoch home on the range and uncovers what the city’s elite really think of North Adelaide.
Working from home is terrible! Except for the boss
News Corp’s The Advertiser has been absolutely outraged about a Commonwealth public service deal that places no caps on the ability of public servants to work from home.
Columnists have told workers to “get off your lazy arse and go to the office” and warned about the death of the CBD. The old “dole bludger” trope – loved by tabloids but permanently damaged by the awful revelations of the robodebt royal commission – has been replaced with “working from home bludgers”. [InSider would be curious to know if any of these hot takes were actually written from home.]
Apart from the fact that research is far from conclusive that working from home damages productivity – in fact, there’s evidence that people actually work harder in a home setting – there is a small matter of hypocrisy, which goes to the very top of News Corp.
In a formal document filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission last year, News Corp revealed that its 92-year-old executive chairman, Rupert Murdoch, has been given the go-ahead to work from home.
The detailed agreement between Murdoch and his company has conditions that you could only dream of as a poor sod slogging it out for the Commonwealth Public Service at a badly put-together IKEA desk set up in the corridor outside your smelly laundry.
Rupert’s allowed to work from his Montana ranch – a sprawling $200 million property not too far from the famous Yellowstone National Park.
The company says it’s prepared to stump up for a separate phone, office furniture, a computer and anything else he needs to work from home.
News Corp will even pay him rent.
But, don’t worry, he won’t be able to hang on to any company-bought hole punches or biros.
“Any Employer-Provided Supplies and Equipment, as defined above, must be returned to the Company upon the earlier of termination of the telecommuting arrangement, termination of employment, or upon request of the Company.”
InSider is sure that productivity is through the roof. No bludging.
“Maybe She’s Born With It”
Speaking of WFH, first it was business on top, PJs on bottom with a filter to hide the laundry in the background. But now Microsoft Teams has taken it to a new level and has partnered with Maybelline to include 12 virtual makeup looks so you can look your best while bludging from home.
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“The new Maybelline Beauty app in Microsoft Teams from Maybelline New York … allowing users to adjust their personal style quickly and easily from within a Teams meeting. The virtual makeup looks let people try out different styles, giving more ways to express themselves at work,” the product announcement states.
While not stating if the people above are using the app, Microsoft says it uses the “AI-powered functionality enabled by Modiface, an augmented reality technology for the beauty industry owned by Maybelline parent company L’Oreal. Modiface AI identifies over 70 points of the user’s face to create a “virtual map” that enables the seamless application of the digital filters.”
InSider doesn’t usually delve into the ‘how to” realm, but if you want to spruce up your look, head to ‘Video Effects” look for “More Video Effects” and scroll to “Maybelline” in the filters.
One thing’s certain, the famous strapline “Maybe She’s Born With It” just got a whole lot more complicated.
Knives out for North Adelaide in hospital site planning
South Australia’s urban planners, developers and business leaders were last year given the chance to make an anonymous comment about North Adelaide. This was the result:
“North Adelaide holds us back.”
“Should not be included as part of the City of Adelaide.”
“Needs an injection of youth.”
“There is a lack of life and vibrancy which has slowly spiralled.”
This was just some of the feedback gathered by property marketing agency Metric when they polled various stakeholders about the type of development needed in the historic suburb.
The comments are summarised in a previously-secret document handed to the state government last year listing development options for North Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, as revealed by InDaily on Monday.
According to Metric, developers were “not shy to admit North Adelaide’s ‘older and wealthy’ population is taking a toll on its progression”.
“It was argued that a younger demographic is required to make it more interesting,” they said, according to Metric.
Engineers were even more critical, saying: “The older demographics of North Adelaide have famously proven to be ‘roadblocks’ to change, preventing innovation and not evolving with the times.
“We need to push through this to achieve real change.”
Urban planning experts were equally scathing, accusing postcode 5006 of “no longer promoting itself in a positive light”.
“North Adelaide has lost its ‘precinct’ feel and now portrays more of a suburb feel,” they said.
“There is a lack of life and vibrancy which has slowly spiralled and until there is a tram entering directly into North Adelaide, it was argued things will not change.”
Adelaide City Council population growth forecasts released this week predict North Adelaide’s share of the council area’s population will decline from 25 per cent to 17 per cent by 2041. Meanwhile, the CBD’s share of the population is forecast to rise from 75 per cent to 83 per cent.
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Council administration flagged that this “disparity” in resident density will have future policy implications, including a potential review into council wards to ensure “fair and equal governance”.
Evidently, pressure is on the old WCH development to deliver something attractive for young people.
Uni Adelaide prepares women for politics
Enid Lyons List is no longer the only show in town targeting women to enter politics – now some of the state’s less-conservative leaders have stepped up to support an alternative.
Deputy Premier Susan Close along with Greens Federal Senator Sara Hanson-Young, SA Best MP Connie Bonaros and more moderate-aligned SA Liberal vice president Leah Grantham make up the steering committee for a new University of Adelaide program.
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women was announced as a “non-partisan initiative that equips women across the political spectrum with the skills, knowledge, confidence and connections they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders”.
An interesting option for budding politicians not attracted to the Enid Lyons List program that is linked to the anti-abortion group Love Adelaide.
Labor Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven, the Liberal party’s Nicola Centofanti, and One Nation’s Sarah Game are all Love Adelaide supporters.
Enid Lyons List announces on its website that it “seeks to prepare and equip women leaders to take office in places of influence” saying “together we can save the lives of women and children harmed by termination”.
Designing for fur babies
The Good Design Index has long been the go-to place to see the bold and the beautiful of Australian design. Always at the forefront, the Index has launched a category for “Design redefining a dog’s world”.
Their blurb states “dogs are more than just four-legged companions – they’re family. As humans continue to assimilate their furry friends more intimately in their lives, there is a growing demand for value-adding products that fulfil dogs’ needs and enhance cohabitation”.
According to the Index, this paradigm shift means “pet owners and designers alike have recognised the opportunity to streamline daily routines and create tailored experiences that excel basic necessities”.
It’s also an opportunity to insert a gratuitous pug pic.
Putting the blah in the World Cup
Tuning into last night’s World Cup game to watch the Matildas face a determined Irish side, InSider couldn’t help but notice that veteran commentator David Basheer seemed far from impressed.
The monotone call may have had something to do with a lack of attacking action but it was when Basheer announced the record crowd of more than 75,000 and quickly followed it up with a BUT that number didn’t hold a torch to the crowd at the Sydney Olympics men’s final between Spain and Cameroon that InSider switched to the radio.
The wireless call was vibrant and the roar of the crowd spine-chilling.
Stuff you should know…
The good folks at Cosmos magazine, headquartered in the old stock exchange building in the CBD, have launched their “Australian Mammal of the Year” poll.
Readers are encouraged to read through each animal’s stats before deciding which mammal to vote for.
This week’s profile is on the Australian fur seal, which Cosmos describes as the “cheeky, chunky, boof-head of the sea”.
But if seals aren’t your favourite, there’s a list of every type of dolphin and whale in the “Marine Marvel” section.
InSider notes that “Homo sapiens” is not a choice on any of the lists, including the “City Livin’” category. Probably wouldn’t get many votes anyway.
