Flexible work broader than just working from home

More than a third of Australians work from home with about half of them doing so between one and four days a week. (Supplied: Unsplash/Annie Spratt) Submissions have closed in a federal inquiry into a bill which looks to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to include the right to work from home. Some disability groups fear broadening work from home eligibility could lead to people with disabilities facing discrimination. The inquiry into the Right to Work From Home will report back on August 27. Link copiedShareShare articleA bill amending the Fair Work Act 2009 to include the right to work from home is too narrow in its focus and could lead to discrimination, according to submissions in a federal inquiry. Others have cautioned against legislating work from home saying existing frameworks surrounding it have struck the right balance. It comes as submissions to a federal inquiry closed on the bill to give employees the right to request work from home for up to two days per week. The bill was introduced by the Greens in November last year, and later referred for an inquiry by the Senate, which is due to report back on August 27. About 36 per cent of Australians currently work from home with about half of those doing so between one and four days a week, according to the Productivity Commission. What are your rights when it comes to working from home — and what are the best ways to approach your employer? According to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), work from home is among four flexible work arrangements which include flexible start and finish times, split shifts and job sharing. Those eligible to request flexible work are pregnant people, parents, carers, people with a disability, people over 55 and those experiencing family and domestic violence. The requests must be made in writing, explain what changes are being asked for, and the reason for the change. The Finance Sector Union said in its submission some workers have been asked to provide medical certificates to work from home. "The office mandates are not uniform across the industry, nor are the penalties for non-compliance," the submission read. "There are some workers who were initially engaged in their role and were working from home full-time who are unable to work from the office. "This includes workers facing untenable commutes, increased costs and an inability to make the office mandates work alongside their caring responsibilities, those with disabilities." After widespread adoption following COVID-19 lockdown, work from home arrangements have stabilised, according to the Productivity Commission. Its submission enquiry said in 2025, one to two days working from home was the most observed arrangement for full-time workers offered hybrid work arrangements. The federal economic advisory body said most employers planned to maintain those arrangements over the next two years. And well managed hybrid work has neutral to slightly positive effects on productivity, especially in white collar jobs. "Thus, Australian employers and employees overall appear to have landed on sensible work-from-home arrangements," the Productivity Commission submission read. "Suggesting that the process of experimentation, negotiation and adjustment described in the PC's 2021 report is largely working as anticipated. The existing arrangements under the Fair Work Act "struck the right balance", according to the Business Council of Australia's submission. The industry body said existing legislation already provides employees with the right to request changes to work arrangements such as changing location to work from home. Victorians will be able to work at least two days a week from home under the state governments new plan to develop legal protections for employees. It added the framework surrounding flexible work arrangements have been expanded to broaden eligibility, strengthen employer obligations to engage employees and require refusals based on reasonable business grounds. "On that basis, we believe this bill is unnecessary and risks unsettling the balance carefully struck under the current system," the submission read. "Which provides for both the changing operating structures of the workplace as well as the requirements of business so they can effectively operate, remain competitive and continue to employ people." University of Technology Sydney's Rowena Ditzell, who specialises in the future of work, said work from home is just one form of flexible work. Working from home can positively impact the mental health of Australian men and women in different ways, a new study has found. She was concerned by focusing on just one form of flexible work it may lead to other arrangements being neglected. "I am a proponent of working from home in the right role and the right context," Dr Ditzell said. "But by focusing on just one aspect of flexibility, you could be making things harder for some people. "People who can't access work from home, they may be ab

Flexible work broader than just working from home

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