The Fair Work Commission is getting serious about normalising
family-friendly working arrangements. From 1 December 2018, all
modern awards will require employers to genuinely try to reach
agreement with their award-covered employees on a flexible working
arrangement, if requested by the employee.
Backstory
The ability to request a flexible working arrangement already
exists in the Fair Work Act 2009. A request can be made by
any permanent employee (or long-term casual employees with a
reasonable expectation of ongoing work) that has parental or
carer's responsibilities, or a disability, or is over 55 years
of age, or experiencing domestic violence, or is supporting someone
who is experiencing domestic violence. An employer must respond to
any request in writing, by stating whether they grant or refuse,
the request.
