Union challenges Commonwealth Bank rule that employees must spend half their hours a month in office

A regulation imposed by the Commonwealth Bank, stating that workers must allocate 50% of their monthly working hours within the premises of the company, is being contested by a labor union in the Fair Work Commission.

On Wednesday, the Finance Sector Union lodged a complaint with the commission, while the previous premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett, faced criticism for his view that remote workers should receive lower pay due to reduced travel expenses.

Numerous organizations are currently deliberating on the frequency at which their employees should physically report to the office, following the instruction for remote work during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Commonwealth Bank directive was made public towards the end of May and is set to begin on July 17th. The FSU asserts that employees were not adequately included in discussions regarding this alteration and a significant number of them held the belief that they were better able to carry out their duties from their own residences.

According to the national secretary of the union, Julia Angrisano, the CBA has disregarded the enterprise agreement and instead imposed modifications to the work-from-home setups that are currently favorable for numerous employees.

"Our valued CBA members have the right to be involved in discussions regarding alterations to their work circumstances. The experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the concept of working remotely is a viable arrangement and holds numerous benefits for a significant portion of the workforce."

A representative from the Commonwealth Bank stated that the management strongly believes that establishing connection, fostering innovation, and enhancing relationships are crucial aspects in the way we proceed with our work.

"Flexible work choices are still on the table, just like they have always been, and we will continue to take into account the needs of our employees who require customized arrangements to fit their personal situations, in accordance with our obligations under the enterprise agreement," stated the representative.

The representative stated that CBA had a friendly conversation with the FSU recently and that it values and follows the contractual agreement.

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On Monday, the Australian Public Service Commission made an agreement with labor unions to grant commonwealth public employees expanded freedom in rejoining their workplace. Employees will have the option to submit a daily work-from-home request.

Melissa Donnelly, the national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, hailed the agreement as innovative and expressed gratitude to the APSC for showing flexibility.

The agreement provides the opportunity for government employees to ask for more adaptable work schedules. Additionally, it guarantees no compulsory fixed working hours will be implemented.

Donnelly expressed that the conventional method of carrying out work in the Australian public service has impeded the ability to attract and retain employees. He believes that introducing flexibility in terms of how, when, and where public sector work is performed will lead to increased diversity, adaptability, and accessibility within the Australian public service.

In the blog post, Kennett mentioned that the economic situation of Victoria provides grounds for a decrease in the salaries of public employees who are currently working remotely.

Kennett informed the Herald Sun that due to Victoria's current financial situation, it is evident that we cannot afford to raise salaries. Therefore, the most suitable approach would be to implement a reduction in salary for individuals who opt to work from home, regardless of the number of days per week. This reduction in salary would be equivalent to the expenses they would have normally incurred while working in an office setting.

"Some individuals will choose to work remotely as they wish to avoid the hassle and strain of commuting by car or public transportation. By doing so, they not only save money but also alleviate themselves from the associated stress."

Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, derided Kennett's remarks and urged him to forsake what she deemed an impulsive response.

"Every time there is a problem that affects employees, it appears that the Liberals only have one solution: reduce individuals' wages. Regardless of the issue at hand, their answer always remains consistent - decrease workers' salaries," expressed McManus.

There is one instance where this guideline does not apply, and that is regarding their own compensation and the compensation of chief executive officers. Under such circumstances, their pay should invariably increase. Common folks are currently enduring a crisis relating to the rising cost of living, which follows a decade of stagnant wages. The last thing individuals require during these times is a reduction in their earnings.