Yesterday
States to tighten rules on watching workers in age of WFH and AI
The Allan government has backed greater protections for workers against spying bosses as technology and work from home test the boundaries of employee privacy.
This Month
Victoria’s WFH laws may kill internships at Bosch
Bosch Australia president Gavin Smith says he despairs for Victoria’s future under work-from-home laws that may prompt his company to stop offering internships
NAB chief leaves WFH door open for staff who relocate
CEO Andrew Irvine says NAB stands by its flexible work policy, but stresses the bank considers WFH requests on a case-by-case basis.
Union warning to employers: review RTO or face wave of cases
The Finance Sector Union has written to the banks and other white-collar employers demanding they review rejected work from home requests in response to a landmark ruling.
October
Why I worry about government meddling in WFH
Most employers have landed on a hybrid “sweet spot” that research suggests is good for workers and productivity, and helps business attract and keep employees.
New parents may be denied more flexible working arrangements
A Westpac employee’s landmark win against returning to the office could make it more difficult for new parents easing their way back into the workforce.
Workers have won on WFH (for now)
A landmark case this week has only fuelled the debate between those who say the WFH “horse has bolted” and others who say remote working is a “joke”.
Westpac ruling shows workplace flexibility pendulum has swung too far
Common sense return-to-office policies have been thrown out the window and a terrible precedent set, ignoring the realities of running a business.
Co-working spaces back with a vengeance in work-from-home era
The pandemic – and bad behaviour – put an end to the 2010s boom. Now the sector is staging a quiet comeback as businesses look for flexibility.
Landmark WFH ruling could ‘trap’ employers trying to do the right thing
The Finance Sector Union says it will use the ruling to push employers across the sector to reconsider their refusals of WFH requests.
Banker who moved closer to private school has win on back to office
The Westpac staffer who had moved house to be closer to a private school for her children argued it would take two hours for her to travel to the office.
Chinese hackers are targeting WFH employees
Workers’ home routers and smart devices are being hijacked to breach corporate systems and create a sprawling network of infected gadgets.
Union push to protect penalties, overtime for WFH
The ACTU has been accused of attempting to stifle the Fair Work Commission’s capacity to facilitate working from home arrangements.
September
Escape rooms, dogs: How smaller firms draw staff to the office
Smaller organisations are averaging a higher office attendance rate than larger firms, new research reveals.
The government has a tough climate policy task
Readers’ letters on the need for social licence for climate policy, energy security, Trump’s paracetamol claims, Albanese in New York and Nvidia’s AI deals.
Boss asked for one extra office day. Worker went for full severance
An employer has been forced to pay full redundancy entitlements in part because it required a manager to work in the office an extra day a week.
Karaoke, self-serve matcha and free lunch: Is this how to end WFH?
Nothing is too out of the box for Pinterest’s new Sydney space, which feels more like a wellness studio than an office.
What happens when laptops turn into listening devices?
David Marin-Guzman on the test case of a compliance company that has been spying on its staff and what it means for work-from-home.
Why remote work is bad for young women
While working from home benefits experienced staff, it disadvantages one group more than others, a study by three economists has found.
Victoria’s tax and WFH systems hold back office inflection point
The hard reality for the nation’s second-biggest economy is that its interventionist and complex tax regime encourages capital flight.