Overview
- A senior planning officer sought to increase his approved work‑from‑home days from three to four, arguing age, fatigue and the need to lend a car to a dependent made extra WFH necessary.
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council twice rejected the request and an internal appeal, telling the tribunal the statutory planning team needs a consistent onsite presence and hands‑on guidance for junior staff.
- The Fair Work Commission arbitrated the dispute and found the council had shown reasonable business grounds to refuse the extra WFH day, ordering the council’s reasons be treated as valid.
- Deputy President Kamal Farouque noted the employee could perform much day‑to‑day work remotely but said that did not outweigh the council’s operational and team‑mentoring needs.
- The ruling leaves the employee on a two‑day office schedule and adds to a patchwork of varied flexible‑work decisions for local government, with potential implications for how councils balance flexibility and on‑site supervision.