Real location of Aussies working from home to be exposed
An update to a popular work platform will begin “snitching” on users from December — impacting millions of Aussies and could lead to some awkward discussions.
A major work collaboration platform has announced a new feature that will impact millions of people - including Australians - who work from home.
Microsoft Teams revealed a new software update which will basically track and reveal the exact location of employees to their bosses.
Based on Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, it will record the location of a worker via the company’s Wi-Fi, meaning it will show if you’re in the office or at home.
“Teams will soon be able to automatically update their work location to reflect the building they’re working from,” a description of the update read.
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The idea of the new feature is to eliminate confusion for bosses about where a worker is within the building and to see if they are working remotely.
But those who work from home argue it is an invasion of privacy.
“Micro management at peak? All online work doesn’t need you to be in the office, we can do it from home,” one X user said.
“Why is this needed?” another added.
“Next are they installing cameras in the break room or just tracking espresso machine usage? Thanks teams, truly the work-from-home hero we all need,” a Teams user wrote.
MORE: 5 ways to make working from home better
The good news is the feature is automatically turned off by default, so bosses will have to request employees switch on the feature on the app or desktop for it to be active.
The software is still in the development stage but is expected to be rolled out globally on Windows and Macs in December, according to an update this week.
Other details about the feature, including the pros and cons, have not been detailed.
Microsoft Teams is a platform for businesses and individuals that provides a central hub for communication and teamwork through messaging, video meetings and file sharing.
It has more than 320 million monthly active users around the world.
‘Not fair’
Many Microsoft Teams users have vented about the looming update, insisting it is “not fair” on those who have work from home arrangements.
But others say it was time those who do WFH to be strictly monitored, given the boss does not know exactly where they are when they work remotely.
A growing trend embraced by young Aussies has been sneaking away on a midweek getaway, all while pretending to be working at home.
Almost half of Gen Z workers surveyed (44 per cent) revealed last year that they took a secret trip, with most giving their workplace the impression they were working normal hours and using a virtual background in meetings to trick their employer.
Ella Maree, 26, started hush-tripping after Covid when her corporate workplace adopted a 3:2 work week, which meant she could work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
“Since travel options were limited, hush trips became my go-to choice,” she said.
“I flew out Thursday evening and worked by the hotel pool, restaurant and room on Friday. I maintained the same level of productivity as if I were physically in the office or working from home, so really, a win-win situation.
“Most of my office work from home Friday, so really, I’m just making the most of our remote work flexibility.”
Ms Maree insisted her boss “wouldn’t mind” given workplaces are mostly connected online and that she was always getting her work done.
In 2023, an Aussie boss fired three of his workers for their lack of productivity by tracking their call logs, while an insurance worker had her case in the Fair Work Commission dismissed after ruling her firing was justified because she was not typing enough.
WFH coming to an end?
Working from home was widely introduced during the Covid pandemic in a bid to limit people catching the disease and spreading it to colleagues.
Many companies embraced it during that era to avoid the business shutting and they continue to do so, giving workers more flexibility and a balanced work-life schedule.
But some businesses have ended the arrangement, with the likes of Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Tabcorp, AT&T, and Dell ordering a return of five days a week in the office.
Just this week Westpac worker Karlene Chandler won a landmark case against the banking giant after bosses refused to allow her to work from home.
Ms Chandler - a Westpac employee of 23 years - asked the bank in January if she could work remotely from her home in Wilton, 80km southwest of the Sydney CBD, so she could pick up and drop off her two young daughters for school.
A senior manager told the mum that “working from home is no substitute for childcare”.
Ms Chandler proposed an alternative of working two days a week at a branch closer to her home. This was also rejected by the bank.
In a ruling published on Monday the Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled in favour of Ms Chandler, noting she had a “very successful” track record of working from home.
“While I accept that Westpac may obtain some benefit from minimal levels of in-office attendance in Ms Chandler’s case, I also think that the consequences of not making an order are seriously prejudicial for the applicant and her family,” FWC Deputy President Tom Roberts said.
Ms Chandler argued she lived out of Sydney and that getting to a Westpac corporate office would take almost two hours.
The commission said there was no reasonable ground for Westpac to deny Ms Chandler’s remote working request.
In a statement to news.com.au, a Westpac spokesperson said the bank would “consider the ruling”.
“Westpac’s workplace policy is designed to help our people deliver the best outcomes for customers, no matter where they work. It ensures meaningful collaboration within teams while providing flexibility to work from home,” the spokesperson said.
“Westpac has a large, diverse workforce and our policies remain consistent with the Westpac Group Enterprise Agreement.”
Originally published as Real location of Aussies working from home to be exposed
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