Work from home
As part of our workplace flexibility offerings, Griffith supports eligible staff to work from home up to 40% of their workweek. Staff seeking an arrangement for a flexible work location (e.g., working from home or a residential worksite) or supervisors approving such requests are asked to review this page for information on eligibility, policy, health and safety expectations, supervisor obligations, how to apply, and frequently asked questions. All requests are for a set period of time up to one year and can be renewed if both parties agree; and during the period arrangements can be reviewed, modified or cancelled if work requirements change of productivity issues are identified.
Eligibility
All staff may request flexible working arrangements, but whether they are eligible to have a flexible work location arrangement (e.g., arrangement to work from home) depends on a number of factors, including operational requirements.
It is expected that staff work the majority of their workdays on campus; however, work from home requests may be supported up to 40% of a staff member's workweek, unless a case has been made that supports an alternative arrangement.
Per the University's Work Location Policy, arrangements can be made for periods of up to 12 months. Upon the end of a flexible work location arrangement period, a new request may be submitted.
Work Location Policy
Griffith's Work Location Policy was introduced in 2021. Staff seeking approval to work from home/a residential worksite and all supervisors are encouraged to review the policy to understand what can be supported and where there may be limitations in the University's ability to support such requests.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing at home
It is imperative that staff working remotely have a safe area to work for their own wellbeing, in addition to complying with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and the University's Health, Safety and Wellbeing policy. As part of requesting a flexible work location arrangement, you are required to review the Ergonomics website including:
- watching the Workstation Ergonomics video
- assess your residential work area and
- complete a Computer Workstation Ergonomics Checklist.
Your checklist will need to be uploaded and attached as part of the request for a flexible work location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Complementing the Work Location Policy, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document.
If you have a question that is not addressed in the FAQs, please reach out to hrandsafety@griffith.edu.au.
How to apply for a flexible work location arrangement
As a first step, we ask that you discuss a flexible work location arrangement with your supervisor.
Upon receiving a verbal approval from your supervisor, which will include discussion to determine the best day(s) for you to work from your alternate location with consideration to your team's operational needs, you are required to submit details of your flexible work location arrangement to the University via the Staff Portal - Work Location request tile.
- Navigate to the Staff Portal (you can do so by clicking on the 'Staff resources page' button below, and then once on the Staff resources page, clicking on the 'Staff portal' button)
- From the Staff Portal, navigate to My Staff Page
- Click on the 'Work Location Request' tile, then click on the 'Add Request' button
- the Start Date indicates the week you wish to commence the flexible work location arrangement *must be future dated.
- For Remote Worker Type, most staff with choose 'Hybrid (Home and Campus)' Note: if you wish to enter 'Work from Home only', it is recommended that you have a conversation with your supervisor about this first, as there are other requirements to be fulfilled when requesting to work from home as this would be used in rare and special circumstances.
- Completing the Request details considerations:
- Reasons - Work Location policy (up to 40%) will be the selection for most requests. If you fit the eligibility categories listed in the Fair Work Act you can choose Fair Work Act Request or combination of Fair Work Act and Work Location Policy option.
- Percentage and Remote Days - you can choose to add the percentage or add average days per week or highlight specific days depending on your individual request need for example Percentage: 40%
Remote Dates: 2 or Specific days: highlight the relevant days per week.
- Tick the I agree box to indicate you have completed all tasks listed under the Acknowledgment section of the request form, including uploading a completed Computer Workstation Ergonomics Checklist
- Review and submit your request - you can see the status of your request at any time in the Tile.
Please note: we understand that the online form for submitting details of your flexible work location arrangement may not work for everyone's individual circumstances. If you find that the online form does not allow you to enter the correct details of your unique arrangement, please add specific details to the Notes section in the form or for help contact hrandsafety@griffith.edu.au for advice.
Supervisor obligations and approvals
Supervisors will consider flexible working arrangement requests with due consideration of legislative requirements and whether the request can be supported based on the operational requirements of the University. In some circumstances, employees have a right to request flexible working arrangements under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which creates legal obligations on supervisors to formally consider such requests and respond in writing in a particular way within 21 days (*see the factsheet for guidance on how to respond).
Email notification will be sent when any flexible work location arrangement requests are submitted for approval.
Supervisors are encouraged to review the factsheet on Managing Requests for Flexible Working Arrangements for information on:
- who can make a request for flexible working arrangements,
- responding to a request,
- supporting a request,
- refusing a request, and
- requests that impact staff availability for teaching commitments.
If after consideration of a request it is determined that it cannot be supported the supervisors should discuss the reason/s with the individual staff member and use the "Comments" box to indicate reason/s to why the request cannot be accommodated at this time as part of your supervisory obligations to provide a written response as part of the Fair Work Act requirements *see factsheet for guidance.
