‘Without notice’: Fintech firm’s grim email to employees pushing their luck by working from home
A firm has delivered a dire warning to its employees who choose to work from home, with some about to potentially lose their jobs.
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A global fintech firm has issued a grim ultimatum to its staff in a bid to reverse the work from home trend.
FNZ Group has made it clear it wants its employees back in the office, with the investment company prepared to fire staff who choose not to do so.
In an email addressed to its global team that’s since been leaked online, the financial services company has accused its employees of “ignoring” its hybrid working policy.
According to the email, it’s a requirement for employees to work from the office a minimum three days a week, however it’s not clear if staff have a choice in the days they have to come in.
Yet, it appears some staff members have overstepped their work from home limits – a move FNZ Group are not particularly happy about.
“On review of key offices worldwide, it is obvious that there are significant numbers of people that have ignored our hybrid working policy,” the email read.
“This is therefore the final warning, which is unfortunate, as no-one actually raised any challenges or issues in the lengthy discussion we have had on this subject for over a year.”
The email went on to explain how working from home more than twice a week was a breach of policy and employment contract, and goes against the “interests” of the company.
“This is the final warning. Next week, and weekly thereafter, we will source all building access records worldwide,” the email read.
“In relation to anyone in breach of this policy – and their contract – we reserve the right to terminate their employment without notice, without settlement, without references and without any further warnings.”
The email concluded by informing staff those caught breaching the rules were eligible for an amnesty up until June 9, with consequences coming into effect for such breaches from the date after.
FNZ Group prides itself on providing employees with rapid career growth, comprehensive benefits, global pathways, and learning and development opportunities.
It currently boasts more than 6400 employees over 30 international locations, and has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
The company is also passionate about diversity and multiculturalism, with its teams consisting of people who share 90 nationalities and 44 languages, from 30 countries across five continents.
But despite FNZ Group’s willingness to award its employees for their work, questions have been raised about whether the company can threaten to fire their workers if they refuse to work from the office.
According to business lawyer firm Scanlan Carroll, it’s legal for employees to request flexibility in their work schedule, which includes working from home if they’re able to do so.
Such arrangements have to be agreed upon by both parties, as it’s not always possible for an employee to complete their work from home.
It is also possible to be dismissed for working from home if an employee chooses to do so without their employer’s consent.
If such a decision is made, an employee can dispute their termination if they feel they have been unfairly treated, under section 394 of the Fair Work Act.
However, new rules that came into effect on June 5, have made it harder for employers to reject work from home requests in Australia.
Employees that have their requests rejected now have the right to challenge the decision, however it’s not clear yet how this will take effect.
“In reality, it’s going to be very hard to put the (work from home) genie back in the bottle,” Giri Sivaraman, principal workplace lawyer with Maurice Blackburn, said.
“Workers don’t want to give up being able to work flexibly, including working from home.
“They’ve enjoyed the fact that they can spend more time with their families, avoid long commutes and the simple little things like taking your dog for a walk on a Friday morning.”
FNZ Group has joined almost half of all international organisations who have introduced hybrid working since the pandemic in a bid to build staff satisfaction and retention.
According to Adaptavist’s 2022 Reinventing Work Report, Australia has more hybrid workers than companies in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
A survey of 3500 people from across the four above countries found 50 per cent of Australian workplaces offered a hybrid work option for staff compared to 44 per cent of international organisations post pandemic.
However, according to new industry research, a handful of business leaders have opted for the return of the “old normal” which would see their employees back in the office.
A report from LinkedIn reveals many companies hope to get teams back into the office, despite the data also showing flexibility is now one of the things employees value most.
According to the research which canvassed over 100 Australian company leaders, 77 per cent say flexible working is under threat as they navigate “economic uncertainty”.
And almost three-quarters of Australian business leaders prefer staff to work from the office rather than from home.
Similar figures are mirrored globally, with three in four managers opting to have their employees back in the office more often, citing it will bring back company culture and improve focus and productivity.
News.com.au has contacted FNZ Group for comment regarding its work from home policy.
Originally published as ‘Without notice’: Fintech firm’s grim email to employees pushing their luck by working from home
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