Overview
- The Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of Karlene Chandler, rejecting Westpac’s requirement that she attend a corporate office two days a week.
- Commission findings said Westpac had previously allowed remote work before reversing the arrangement earlier this year without reasonable grounds.
- Chandler works part-time in the mortgage division, has 23 years’ tenure, and faces an almost two-hour commute from her home outside Sydney.
- Westpac said it is considering the decision and described its return-to-office policy as promoting meaningful collaboration with flexibility to work from home.
- The decision is appealable and is being closely watched across Australia’s banking sector as many employers press for greater in-office attendance.