Court Narrows Rights of Employees With Family Responsibilities

By Kate Jenkins

The decision in the Schou case by the Victorian Court of Appeal (Supreme Ct) provides significant guidelines to employers regarding their treatment of employees with family responsibilities.

The Court found that it was reasonable for the employer (of a Hansard reporter) to require the employee to attend work rather than work from home. While the decision was based on a unique job the principles are broadly applicable.

The Court found that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had erred in determining that the requirement to attend work full time on site at Parliament on sitting days was unreasonable.

(CCH Industrial Law News, issue 5, 31 May 2004)