An Australian retail bank employee has secured the right to work from home permanently in a landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission. The decision, which is being closely watched across the country, could set a precedent for remote work policies in Australia's financial sector.
Karlene Chandler, a part-time employee in Westpac's mortgage business with 23 years of service, challenged the bank's requirement to attend a corporate office two days a week. The commission ruled in her favour, stating that Westpac had no reasonable grounds to refuse her remote working request.
Chandler argued that commuting to a Westpac office would take nearly two hours from her home outside Sydney. The commission noted that a Westpac manager had told Chandler that 'working from home is no substitution for childcare,' but found this reasoning insufficient.
Westpac had previously allowed Chandler to work remotely but reversed the arrangement earlier this year. A Westpac spokesperson said the bank is considering the ruling, adding that its return-to-office policies aim to 'ensure meaningful collaboration within teams while providing flexibility to work from home.'
The case highlights the tension in Australia's financial sector, where retail banks have been slower than investment banks to mandate a return to the office. Hybrid working remains popular among retail bank staff, and this ruling may influence future workplace policies.
