Log in or become a subscriber

An employee who claimed mental health issues prevented him from returning to the office after a year of remote working has failed to prove he was unfairly sacked for ignoring directions.

The Fair Work Commission heard the Australian Federal Police employee, who worked in the news and online services team, suffered from autism spectrum disorder, as well as anxiety and depression.

In March 2020, he gave the employer a psychologist's letter requesting he sit in a quieter part of the office, to reduce sensory overload and socialisation. The letter also suggested the employer allow him to work from home.

Shortly after this, the employee began working from home due to COVID lockdowns, and then went on personal leave in August 2020 due to his mental health issues...