Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-18 Daily Xml

Contents

Work-From-Home Arrangements

In reply to the Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO ().14 September 2023).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I am advised:

Public sector employees in South Australia have the right to request flexible working arrangements, which encompass many options including working from home (WFH). These requests will be considered in line with the business requirements of the relevant department or agency.

The Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (the commissioner) has worked with agencies to identify minimum standards for managing WFH arrangements. These are included in Commissioner's Determination 8: Working Flexibly, and they aim to ensure employees working from home are productive, accountable and safe.

Agencies subject to commissioner's directions must apply the minimum standards. Where an agency is not subject to commissioner's determinations, it is encouraged to adopt the minimum standards as policy.

While determination 8 sets out the minimum standards for WFH arrangements, each agency will develop the detailed provisions that apply to their employees.

The Attorney-General's Department (AGO) has a policy and procedure on flexible working arrangements. This includes WFH arrangements, as well as other flexible work options. Employees need approval from their manager to work from home.

The manager and employee must ensure that arrangements are clearly agreed and understood in relation to health and safety, hours of work, contact and availability, operational needs and the general nature of the work proposed to be performed, including key work activities and expected outcomes.