HRMG207 - Introduction To Human Resource Management Assessment 3

Assignment Task

Overview

Students are to analyse a given HR issue (see below) and recommend a policy to address the issue. Students are also required to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues in informed decision making and how this will impact on those affected as well as on organisational outcomes. Report will be a concise 1,000 words comprising: 

HR ISSUE: Work from home (WFH)

Background to WFH

The term work from home (WFH), is also referred to as remote work, telework, and hybrid work. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for flexibility and consequently a call for a ‘hybrid work model’ was introduced. WFH has emerged as a critical component of recruitment and retention of staff in today's organisations, and consequently a driver of business success. To date, remote work has mutually benefited both employees and employers. Businesses now constantly engage in constructive dialogues regarding remote work and WFH options for their workers.

Presently, according to one statistic, about 37% of Australians currently work from home on a regular basis, as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, slightly down from 2022 levels. While Australian workers lack a general entitlement to work remotely, they can request this arrangement under specific conditions after a year with their employer. Research by the Melbourne Institute indicates that a majority of Australian workers desire the option to work remotely, with 60% endorsing a hybrid model combining home and office work.

HR challenge

• Many employers are reluctant to adopt the ‘working from home’ model and are calling for a ‘return to the office’.
• Currently under Australian labour laws, WFH is not a blanket right where all employees can work from home whenever they wish
• The Fair Work Commission is deliberating on whether flexible work arrangements should become a legal entitlement, acknowledging the positive impact of remote or hybrid work, especially for women with caring
• While many organisational leaders see the many benefits it has brought, others still hold reservations, and are cautioning against adopting a uniform approach across workplaces. They prefer a policy approach at the organisational level.
• Australia continues to report record-low unemployment rate, which means the competition for top talent among Australian organisations is fierce. As a result, companies are increasingly recognising the need for creative and innovative ways to retain their best people and also provide the best ‘EVP’ (Employee value proposition) to attract new

While many employers are more open and able to embrace flexible working options, it can be a challenging issue for HR. WFH poses challenges for employers, such as facilitating mentoring and spontaneous collaboration.

Leaders also caution that it blurs the boundaries between work and personal time, affecting employee wellbeing.

Having common office based work where people gather in one place is important for social cohesion that so they can have that social interaction. It is especially valuable for new recruits and onboarding purposes, and mentoring and supervision.

As one executive has said “There is much to be gained by the corridor chats, feeling visible and supported by one's supervisor, greater access and information sharing, communication, and trust. Employees want to feel valued and respected; they want to know that their work is meaningful, and their ideas are heard.”

Project Brief

Your task is write a report to the HR Director of an organisation of your choice, concerning the HR issue above, and prepare a HR policy document.

You are to identify a real life organisation that is confronting this HR issue (provide the contextual factors), and recommend a policy to address the issue for your chosen organisation.

To do this, it is very important that you conduct research to:

1. analyse the public policy debates surrounding this issue (using research literature). Consider productivity, engagement and wellbeing (specific to WFH).

2. Understand the current state of play and legal requirements around remote work/working from home (WFH).

3. Gain a solid grasp of the specific contextual factors surrounding your specific chosen

After considering these issues make recommendations to the HR Director of the organisation on a policy to ensure the long-term successful outcome.

Context to the topic

1. what is the current public policy debate on the HR issue/practice that you have chosen that is causing concern

2. what is the issue specific to your organisation (provide details based on secondary literature, company documents/reports/ media etc)

3. Any specific consideration of the sector/industry your organisation operates in? Or occupational/skills? Other?

4. Policy suggestion for HR TOPIC (Remote work/working from home - WFH)

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