Money

Can Australian bosses force you back to the office?

Published

3 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

Middle East crisis: Global markets, tech, and supply chains under pressure

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Navigating global uncertainty as the Middle East crisis reshapes markets, technology, and supply chains

The ongoing Middle East crisis is sending shockwaves through global markets, driving energy prices higher and intensifying volatility. Investors are facing growing uncertainty as inflationary pressures mount and risk sentiment shifts. Supply chains are under stress, with key trade routes disrupted, forcing businesses worldwide to rethink logistics, procurement, and operational strategies.

The technology sector is feeling the ripple effects as semiconductors, critical components, and AI infrastructure come under pressure. Volatility in tech stocks is rising, while defence and cybersecurity firms are navigating both new risks and opportunities. At the same time, investment in renewable energy and energy tech could accelerate as companies adapt to energy price surges and seek more resilient solutions.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies joins us to break down what these developments mean for global markets and long-term strategic planning.

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#MiddleEastCrisis #GlobalMarkets #TechIndustry #EnergyPrices #SupplyChain #InvestorAlert #AI #Innovation

Money

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

7 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

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#AustraliaEconomy #InflationReport #AussieDollar #NvidiaEarnings #AIInvesting #StockMarketNews #BitcoinTrends #SaaSInsights

Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

1 week ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

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