Exclusive: Australian employees may be more lax about work from home (WFH) expectations in summer, according to a nine.com.au reader poll.
More than half of the 515* respondents think it’s OK to clock off early to hit the beach during the warmer months.
One in four also said it’s fine to take longer breaks to enjoy good weather while WFH in summer.
More than half of Aussie employees think it’s OK to clock off early or take longer breaks when WFH in summer. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Nearly 40 per cent want companies to introduce more relaxed WFH rules in summer, like allowing staff to work half days on Fridays.
One third said employees should be allowed to work more days from home during summer.
The same amount said it’s fine for Aussie employees to work from the beach or another outdoor location when WFH.
“As long as the work is being done why does it matter where it is done?” one respondent said.
Some respondents noted that these privileges should only be extended to workers who have proven they’re reliable and get all their work done on time and to a high standard.
But Associate Professor of workplace and business law at the University of Technology, Sydney Giuseppe Carabetta said these habits raise practical and legal concerns.
“For employees working under traditional arrangements, it’s risky to assume such freedom without prior approval,” he told 9news.com.au.
“If the location compromises productivity or confidentiality, it could breach a company policy or even your employment contract.”
He added that though flexible work arrangements are increasingly common, “employees generally can’t unilaterally change their schedule”.
So clocking off early or taking a longer break in summer isn’t wise.
“For employees with set hours, clocking off early without approval could be considered time theft or a behavioural breach,” Carabetta said.
”For your typical salaried or award-regulated employees, longer breaks without approval could be seen as a breach of workplace expectations.”
But he wouldn’t be surprised to see more Australian workplaces experimenting with or embracing “seasonal flexibility” in the future.
That could look like summer hours of increased WFH allowances in the warmer months to boost morale and retention.
Such approaches would likely only be introduced in sectors where productivity isn’t tied to physical presence.
But not everyone is on board.
A significant number of Aussies said that taking liberties with WFH policies in summer is tantamount to “stealing company time”.
Of the 515 users surveyed, 35 per cent were against workers clocking off early in summer and almost 60 per cent said taking longer breaks was never OK.
More than 45 per cent also said WFH rules shouldn’t change with the weather.
And 54 per cent said it’s never OK for Aussie employees to work from the beach or another outdoor location while WFH.
An additional 57 per cent said it would be inappropriate for workers to take work video calls or attend virtual meetings while working outdoors.
“Work means at work, not at the beach or some other location simply because of the day of the week or the season of the year,” one said.
A number of respondents said working from public locations like a beach or park could raise privacy concerns, depending on the work being done.
“Confidentiality is a cornerstone of professional conduct, and outdoor locations—whether it’s a beach, café, or park – can pose risks,” he said.
”If you’re dealing with confidential material, it’s best to stick to secure, private locations.”
More than 50 per cent of Aussies said employees should never work from the beach or another outdoor location while WFH. (Getty)
It’s always better to ask for permission than forgiveness when it comes to WFH arrangements, even at relaxed workplaces.
”Acting without approval could lead to disciplinary action or erode trust,” Carabetta said.
“That said, many employers are open to flexibility – especially if approached transparently and respectfully and both parties are on the same page.”
*The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.
