Browsing: Remote work

WHS laws could be amended, and prosecutory functions expanded, with a former Federal Court judge being appointed to review the adequacy of a WHS investigation into the murder of a nurse.

A risk and compliance manager's role included safety inspections and many other tasks that needed to be performed at her employer's premises, a commission has heard in rejecting her claim that she should have been permitted to work from home instead of being "forced" to have a COVID-19 vaccine.

An extensive Japanese study of more than 130,000 workers from 1,400 companies has shown a sharp rise in the incidence of unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and liver damage following COVID-19 restrictions and work-from-home policies.

The Fair Work Commission has found an employer moved too quickly to dismiss a worker who refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19, and should have waited until all employees in his category were required to return to the office.

Flexible working arrangements that genuinely support health and wellbeing are being offered to the employees of one of Australia's "best places to work" on the terms that most suit them, instead of under a blanket rule, according to the company's director.

• Work-related COVID restrictions softened in another state; and
  
• How to prevent "technostress" and other hybrid work hazards.

In a timely decision, a commission has upheld the sacking of a mine worker for hugging a camp contractor without consent and making lewd comments to her and her co-worker.

Employers have been warned, by both Safe Work Australia and unions, that they still have a WHS duty to protect workers from COVID-19 despite easing public health directions and orders.

A significant proportion of Australian workers believe their postures worsened after they shifted to remote arrangements for the COVID-19 pandemic, showing employers must act as hybrid work becomes a permanent fixture.

Global software company, Salesforce, used an employee wellbeing approach based on the core values of trust and science-driven initiatives to successfully support its staff right through the pandemic, says its HR business partner, Anne Tosky.