Zoom, the videoconferencing company whose fortunes soared with the pandemic-driven shift to working from home, has – for at least two days a week, if the commute is no more than 80 kilometres.
It's part of a trend of employers winding back the that enabled most to keep operating through the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
In Australia, close to 90 per cent of employers have implemented mandatory in-office days, according to a survey of 300 hiring managers commissioned by recruitment agency Robert Half. The survey shows 19 per cent insisting on five days a week, 28 per cent on four days, and 26 per cent on three days. Almost a third of respondents reported at least one employee quitting in response.
Particularly for parents and younger workers, working from home is not something they will readily give up.
Which raises the question: can an employer, having first directed you to work from home, now turn around and mandate you don't?
In many cases, the short answer is yes – though some people have a stronger case to argue for flexible work – and correct procedures must be followed.
Is it a 'lawful and reasonable' direction?
Whether you are employed permanently, as a casual or on a short-term contract, you are required to follow "lawful and reasonable" directions from your employer. Even if this isn't stated specifically anywhere, Australian courts have ruled this requirement is "implied" in every employment contract.
A direction to return to the workplace will be lawful and reasonable except in extreme cases – for example, where it is contrary to a government directive or another law.
Whether you are employed permanently, as a casual or on a short-term contract, you are required to follow "lawful and reasonable" directions from your employer. Source: Getty / Frazao Studio Latino
But a detailed and considered plan requiring employees to return to the workplace safely will be lawful and reasonable. Failing to comply with this direction may be a valid reason for disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Is consultation required?
If your work is covered by an award or enterprise agreement, you can collectively assert your right to be consulted, on the basis that a return-to-work order constitutes a "major workplace change".
The Fair Work Ombudsman says consultation requires giving notice, discussing the proposed changes, providing written information, and giving "prompt consideration" to any matters raised by employees and their representatives.
Even though the employer ultimately doesn't need consent, the consultation still needs to be genuine and properly consider employees' views, following the processes set down in the applicable award or agreement.
This is the issue in the dispute over the Commonwealth Bank of Australia directing employees to be in the office 50 per cent of the time. The Finance Sector Union is challenging this in the Fair Work Commission, arguing the bank breached its obligation to consult. So even if the commission agrees, the policy won't necessarily change.
What about flexible work arrangements?
If your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract contains "workplace flexibility" provisions, you may have rights to work from home or to make a request.
In addition, the national employment standards under the Fair Work Act give employees the right to request "flexible work arrangements" if they’ve been with the employer for at least 12 months, and:
- are a parent or carer of a child of school age or younger
- a carer
- have a disability
- are at least 55 years of age
- are pregnant
- are experiencing family or domestic violence, or caring or supporting an immediate family or household member experiencing family or domestic violence.
Some people, such as parents or carers of a child of school age or younger, have the right under the Fair Work Act to request "flexible work arrangements" if they've been with their employer for at least 12 months. Credit: Cultura RF
Employers who get a request for flexible working arrangements need to respond in writing within 21 days.
An employer can only refuse a request on "reasonable business grounds", and where they have genuinely tried to agree to alternative arrangements to accommodate the employee’s circumstances, and have considered the consequences for any refusal.
Reasonable business grounds include such factors as the size and nature of the business. These include the request being too costly and having a significant adverse effect on efficiency, productivity or customer service.
As of 6 June 2023, employees have had a right of appeal to the Fair Work Commission, which has new, more expansive powers to resolve such disputes by mediation or conciliation, or by making a recommendation, and, if required, by arbitration.
Reasonable adjustments for employees
The right of review for flexible work arrangement requests, though limited to certain employee categories, could well become a hotly contested area.
If an organisation mandates their workers return to the workplace – whether exclusively or in part – the employer needs to provide clear guidelines. The "humane way" to introduce such a policy (regardless of any legal requirement) is to consult with employees over the change.
If an employee seeks a flexible work arrangement, the employer needs to actively engage with them and give them opportunities to provide supporting evidence regarding any special circumstances. That way, they can accommodate employees – so far as is practicable – and if required, make reasonable adjustments.
In sectors with persistent labour shortages, employees will have more leverage to have their views heard and negotiate and, in some cases, even request a review.
If you're an employee flexible working arrangements, such as working from home, or an employer wondering such requests, you can read more at
Giuseppe Carabetta is an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
