Money

Can Australian bosses force you back to the office?

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2023

The recent shift by companies to require employees to return to the office has sparked discussions about the legality of such mandates.

Zoom, for instance, known for its remote work-friendly policies, has directed staff to return to the office for at least two days a week.

This shift is part of a broader trend, with close to 90% of Australian employers implementing mandatory in-office days, according to a survey by recruitment agency Robert Half.

The question arises: Can employers change their stance on remote work after initially directing employees to work from home? While in most cases the answer is yes, individuals have the right to advocate for flexible arrangements, provided they adhere to proper procedures.

Lawful direction

Employment contracts in Australia require employees, including those working on a casual or short-term basis, to follow “lawful and reasonable” directions from employers.

This legal requirement has been deemed “implied” by Australian courts in every employment contract. However, directives to return to the workplace must be considered “lawful and reasonable,” except in extreme cases where they conflict with government mandates or other laws.

Employees with legitimate reasons, such as health concerns, can contest returning to the office, and employers are obliged to provide a safe and considered plan for a return.

Failing to comply with such a direction may lead to disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

Consultation required

Consultation is required when a return-to-work directive impacts employees covered by awards or enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Ombudsman emphasizes that consultation involves giving notice, discussing proposed changes, sharing written information, and taking employees’ views into prompt consideration.

Workplace flexibility provisions in employment contracts, awards, or enterprise agreements grant employees the right to request work-from-home arrangements.

The Fair Work Act’s national employment standards also afford employees the right to request “flexible work arrangements” if they meet certain criteria, such as being parents, carers, disabled, or victims of domestic violence.

Employers can refuse flexible work arrangement requests only on “reasonable business grounds” after genuine consideration of alternative solutions.

Since June 6, 2023, employees have had the right to appeal to the Fair Work Commission, which has expanded powers to mediate, recommend, and even arbitrate disputes.

Money

AI funding surge: How Nvidia and Oracle are reshaping capital markets

AI infrastructure revolutionizes capital raising, with Nvidia, OpenAI, and Oracle leading; explore funding shifts and future impacts.

Published

11 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

AI infrastructure revolutionizes capital raising, with Nvidia, OpenAI, and Oracle leading; explore funding shifts and future impacts.

The AI infrastructure boom is transforming how companies raise capital, with Nvidia and OpenAI leading the charge. Explore the shifts in funding frameworks and what they mean for the future of AI investment.

Oracle is aiming to raise $45 to $50 billion, signalling confidence in the growing AI market. We break down how e

Equity issuance, bond deals, and circular financing are influencing long-term infrastructure development.

Despite rapid growth in AI usage, monetisation challenges remain beyond 2027.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies explains why financing won’t be a bottleneck and what traditional structures mean for the evolving AI landscape.

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#AIInvestment #Nvidia #Oracle #OpenAI #TechFinance #AIInfrastructure #CapitalMarkets #FutureOfAI

Money

Australia’s inflation hits 3.8%: Budget decisions under pressure

Australia’s inflation hits 3.8%, raising concerns for households; Dr. Enticott discusses implications for everyday Australians and economic planning.

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation hits 3.8%, raising concerns for households; Dr. Enticott discusses implications for everyday Australians and economic planning.

Australia’s inflation has surged to 3.8%, sparking concern for households and businesses. Experts warn that rising prices could threaten financial stability if the government does not act in the upcoming budget.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down what this inflation spike means for everyday Australians. He also explains why inflation above the Reserve Bank’s target band is particularly significant and how it affects economic planning.

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#AustraliaInflation #EconomicUpdate #Budget2026 #RBA #FinancialNews #BusinessImpact #HouseholdCosts #TickerNews

Money

Wall Street gains momentum amid tech and earnings surge

U.S. stocks rose Monday, driven by Oracle gains, as investors overlooked recent silver and bitcoin losses ahead of earnings week.

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks rose Monday, driven by Oracle gains, as investors overlooked recent silver and bitcoin losses ahead of earnings week.

U.S. equities climbed on Monday as Wall Street kicked off a new month of trading. Investors looked past recent losses in silver and bitcoin, with optimism returning to major indices. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, led by gains in Oracle shares following the company’s announcement to raise up to £50 billion for cloud capacity.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 501 points, while the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.9%. Analysts note that the broader market is showing resilience despite mixed signals from tech and commodities.

More than 100 S&P 500 companies are expected to report earnings this week. Strong growth is predicted, even as some high-profile sell-offs continue to make headlines.

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