Australian banker wins landmark case to work from home permanently

In a precedent-setting decision, Australia’s Fair Work Commission has ruled in favour of Karlene Chandler, a long-serving retail bank employee, granting her the right to work from home full-time.

Chandler, who has worked part-time for 23 years in Westpac’s mortgage division, challenged the bank’s directive requiring her to return to the office at least two days per week.

The Commission ruled that Westpac had previously allowed Chandler to work remotely but reversed its position earlier this year without adequate justification. The tribunal found:

• Westpac had no reasonable grounds to refuse her continued remote work.
• A manager’s comment that “working from home is no substitution for childcare” was deemed inappropriate and not a valid legal basis for refusal.
• Chandler’s two-hour commute from outside Sydney imposed an unreasonable burden, especially given her long-term performance while working remotely.

Australia’s financial sector has been encouraging more frequent in-office work, particularly among investment banks, which have largely reinstated office-focused models. However, hybrid arrangements remain popular in retail banking, where roles are often more adaptable to remote work.