[Australia] Energy company WFH policy links attendance to performance

In Australia, employees at one of the country’s biggest energy companies have been warned that they will not receive promotions if they do not come into the office at least three days a week, News.com reports.

AGL Energy joins competitors Origin and Suncorp with its introduction of a new working from home (WFH) policy linking office attendance with performance reviews.

The policy was reportedly introduced in January. Under it, staff who fail to come into the office for the required three days may miss out on bonuses and other benefits.

A statement from the company said, “AGL prides itself on its inclusive, flexible and collaborative culture. AGL’s flexible working options include part-time, reduced or compressed hours, career breaks, job share and hybrid working.

“In line with our Hybrid Working model, employees are required to work from the office or site a minimum of three days per week unless a flexible work agreement has been agreed upon or other site-specific working models apply.

“Just as we consider individuals alignment with our values, policies, guidelines, and procedures, working in alignment with our flexible and hybrid working expectations are considered as part of an individual’s performance evaluation.”

The policy follows US tech company Dell introducing a strict return-to-office mandate in February with fully remote staff were told they would not be promoted or permitted to change roles.

“For remote team members, it is important to understand the trade-offs: Career advancement, including applying to new roles in the company, will require a team member to reclassify as hybrid onsite,” a memo to employees read.

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 37 per cent of Australians currently work from home regularly.

The Fair Work Commission is now investigating whether WFH rights should be incorporated into industrial awards.

Around 2.2 million workers on award wages could potentially be impacted by the review’s findings, which will make recommendations to the federal government.

Tony Burke - Australia’s Workplace Minister - reportedly said there were plenty of examples where working from home brought “mutual benefit” to both workers and employers and urged businesses to be open to discussions.

“It makes sense that the Fair Work Commission is saying okay, let’s check and work through submissions and see how that fits through the awards system,” he said.

Source: News.com

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Australia, employees at one of the country’s biggest energy companies have been warned that they will not receive promotions if they do not come into the office at least three days a week, News.com reports.

AGL Energy joins competitors Origin and Suncorp with its introduction of a new working from home (WFH) policy linking office attendance with performance reviews.

The policy was reportedly introduced in January. Under it, staff who fail to come into the office for the required three days may miss out on bonuses and other benefits.

A statement from the company said, “AGL prides itself on its inclusive, flexible and collaborative culture. AGL’s flexible working options include part-time, reduced or compressed hours, career breaks, job share and hybrid working.

“In line with our Hybrid Working model, employees are required to work from the office or site a minimum of three days per week unless a flexible work agreement has been agreed upon or other site-specific working models apply.

“Just as we consider individuals alignment with our values, policies, guidelines, and procedures, working in alignment with our flexible and hybrid working expectations are considered as part of an individual’s performance evaluation.”

The policy follows US tech company Dell introducing a strict return-to-office mandate in February with fully remote staff were told they would not be promoted or permitted to change roles.

“For remote team members, it is important to understand the trade-offs: Career advancement, including applying to new roles in the company, will require a team member to reclassify as hybrid onsite,” a memo to employees read.

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 37 per cent of Australians currently work from home regularly.

The Fair Work Commission is now investigating whether WFH rights should be incorporated into industrial awards.

Around 2.2 million workers on award wages could potentially be impacted by the review’s findings, which will make recommendations to the federal government.

Tony Burke - Australia’s Workplace Minister - reportedly said there were plenty of examples where working from home brought “mutual benefit” to both workers and employers and urged businesses to be open to discussions.

“It makes sense that the Fair Work Commission is saying okay, let’s check and work through submissions and see how that fits through the awards system,” he said.

Source: News.com

(Quotes via original reporting)