Home truths: what did COVID-19 reveal about workplace flexibility?

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In early 2020, many Australians found themselves working from home when workplaces were forced to close or drastically limit the number of workers on site to slow the spread of COVID-19. Schools were also closed which meant that a large subset of workers were also responsible for caring for and home schooling children. To meet both work and family responsibilities, more workers than ever before required flexibility in the way they worked. The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented workplace context in which flexible work practices predominated for workers with family responsibilities. The experience presents us with a unique opportunity to examine the right to request flexible working arrangements in s 65 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). In the aftermath of COVID-19 there is likely to be an increase in the number of requests for flexible working arrangements. Many employers also predict embracing more forms of flexibility in the way they work. We argue that our changed workplace behaviour could lead to a cultural shift in thinking about how the law can better facilitate a worker’s ability to manage their work and family commitments and outline how this might be achieved in the context of s 65.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-94
Number of pages18
JournalAustralian Journal of Labour Law
Volume34
Issue number1&2
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Labour Law

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