So this stuff is covered under Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFA) in Australia. Providing childcare actually potentially protects you more under the law. It at least requires them to provide “reasonable business grounds” for requiring you to return, and your productivity being unaffected means that would be hard for them. As well, it puts you in a powerful position to negotiate from. If you feel like they aren’t going to back down, you’re probably better off not refusing entirely, as they can use that against you with FairWork if they can prove “reasonable business grounds”. Rather, next time they ask, counter by asking for a $20k raise so you can cover childcare & commuting costs. Or that you’ll only do a certain number of days each week/fortnight/month (plus costs). They’re asking to create a new IFA, and they can’t coerce you to sign it by law. They’re trying to put the pressure on because they want you to just agree to something that only benefits them. You have the right to negotiate, and FairWork won’t be happy with them if they fire you for asking.
So this stuff is covered under Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFA) in Australia. Providing childcare actually potentially protects you more under the law. It at least requires them to provide “reasonable business grounds” for requiring you to return, and your productivity being unaffected means that would be hard for them. As well, it puts you in a powerful position to negotiate from. If you feel like they aren’t going to back down, you’re probably better off not refusing entirely, as they can use that against you with FairWork if they can prove “reasonable business grounds”. Rather, next time they ask, counter by asking for a $20k raise so you can cover childcare & commuting costs. Or that you’ll only do a certain number of days each week/fortnight/month (plus costs). They’re asking to create a new IFA, and they can’t coerce you to sign it by law. They’re trying to put the pressure on because they want you to just agree to something that only benefits them. You have the right to negotiate, and FairWork won’t be happy with them if they fire you for asking.