Queensland Government Bulletin - Part 1

Can employers reasonably deny multi-day work from home requests?

In Petrie v State of Queensland (Queensland Mental Health Commission) [2022] QIRC 343, the appellant, who is a full-time business support officer, made a 'flexible work application' (FWA) to the respondent, the Mental Health Commissioner, seeking to work from home two days per week. His reason for the request was that he has responsibilities as the primary carer of his elderly parents.

The respondent approved the appellant to work from home two days per week for three months, followed by one day per week for a further three months. The respondent submitted that the temporary working-from-home arrangement was approved to assist the appellant in organising alternative care arrangements for his parents.