This Working Life Westpac work from home decision: what does it mean for you?
Oct 31, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Giuseppe Carabetta, an Associate Professor at UTS Business School, and Emma Walsh, CEO of Parents at Work, dive into a recent Fair Work Commission decision that allows a Westpac employee to work from home full-time. They discuss the implications for business hiring practices and the importance of individualized assessments for flexible work requests. Emma highlights how flexibility can boost productivity and support gender equality, while Giuseppe warns employers about the legal obligations when denying such requests.
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Employee Relocation And Remote Success
- Ms Chandler relocated two hours from her Westpac corporate office while remaining the primary carer for two six-year-olds.
- She had a long history of successfully performing her role remotely before requesting full-time work from home.
Follow Procedure And Substantiate Refusals
- Employers should establish clear systems to handle flexible work requests within the statutory timeframe.
- If refusing, detail substantiated business reasons and evidence to support the refusal.
Blanket Policies Won't Suffice
- Employers must treat flexible work requests individually, not with blanket hybrid policies.
- The Fair Work Commission expects consideration of the employee's specific circumstances and the job's nature.