Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane have been drenched by a series of heavy rainfalls, prompting many Australians to argue that employees shouldn’t be required to commute to the office under such conditions.
A survey conducted by nine.com.au, which included 962 participants, revealed that over 65% believe Australians should have the option to work remotely during significant rainstorms.
This opinion applies to intense or extended rainfall that far exceeds typical weather expectations.
Numerous respondents mentioned that allowing employees to work from home during these times enhances safety by reducing traffic congestion on rain-slicked roads.
Furthermore, some highlighted that it eases the burden on public transportation systems, which are often plagued by delays and disruptions during heavy rains.
Conversely, just 24% disagreed with the idea of remote work during major rain events, while 10% remained undecided on the matter.
Only 24 per were opposed to WFH arrangements during major rain events, and one in 10 said they were undecided.
”Working from home should only be approved in extreme circumstance at the employer’s discretion,” one reader told nine.com.au.
Another noted that “major rain events are not new and have been survived previously without major reconstruction of work requirements”.
Surprisingly, only 26 per cent of respondents approved of Aussie employees who can’t work from home getting extra pay or perks to come in during a major rain event.
There are many jobs that simply can’t be done from home, like nursing and building.
But 60 per cent of readers said they should just get on with the job when major rain events occur.
Just over one in four said they deserve extra pay or perks, such as compensation for extra travel time or the added risk of driving to the office in the rain.
One reader said “there should be some form of recognition for dedication to the job”, but was unsure what that might look like.
Nine.com.au readers were even more divided on office dress codes during downpours.
More that half said dress codes for workers who don’t wear a uniform should be relaxed during major rain events to allow workers to dress appropriately for the weather.
That could mean swapping heels for gumboots and suit jackets for water-resistant coats in a corporate office.
But one in three said it just wasn’t necessary.
“They should bring their work clothes in a separate bag and get changed once at work. Dress code is there for a reason,” one reader explained.
Another simply suggested employers “dish out umbrellas at the start of the week and tell them to grow up”.
The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the Nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.
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