'People will need to comply': No right to refuse return-to-office call, lawyers say

Industrial lawyers say workers could be sacked if they refuse a request from their employer to return to the office once their workplace is deemed safe and the Victorian government relaxes restrictions on attendance.

However, a survey for the Fair Work Commission found that since most Australian workers were sent home to prevent the spread of coronavirus, only 5 per cent want to return to the office full-time.The survey of 322 users of the social media site LinkedIn by researchers at Swinburne University found that 35 per cent of participants would prefer to work from home every day and a majority would like to split their time between home and office.

"If you have a contract of employment [and] it was understood that you'd work from the office … and now it's been deemed safe for you to return [and] there has been measures put in place within the workplace so to comply with government guidelines, then, in general, people will need to comply with that direction," he said.

"The consequences for refusing a reasonable and lawful direction are potentially serious," he said, adding that they included warnings and dismissal.Mr Rich said there was more capacity for workers without extenuating circumstances to negotiate working from home than before the pandemic due to a change in perspective from employers.

Sure they will update some recommendations... Then something happens and they will all change again.. Just creating more fear, uncertainty and doubt which has been typical of this government.

What changed ?

Work from home and save the environment

I don’t think people should be forced onto public transport or into an office until a vaccine is rolled out.

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