Work From Home or Time Theft? Rethinking Productivity, Contracts, and Accountability in Australia.

The shift to remote work promised flexibility and balance, but for many employers it has opened the door to a new set of risks — workplace fraud and time theft. With rising cases of employees secretly juggling multiple jobs, and productivity under scrutiny, the question for Australian businesses is clear: How can we protect both fairness and trust in the work-from-home era?

The increase of employees working from home during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, was a substantial gain for many workers, who already enjoyed a wide range of benefits and protections in the workplace. Although providing benefits for both workers and employers, research indicates that Australian workers productivity has dropped and employers are now frequently concerned about the home-based workers priorities, between undertaking their employment responsibilities, and prepping a roast for dinner, says Dr Daniela Vavrova, Far North Queensland Complete Corporate Services Regional Manager and Partner.

This article highlights and supports the increased employers’ concerns regarding Workplace Fraud or Time Theft, being committed by home based employees:

Read more:- Ash secretly worked seven jobs and earned up to $500,000. Inside the 'overemployed' community

In Australia, most employment contracts are based around the requirements of the number of hours required, and dedication to role responsibilities.

"Where you are employed full time, with expectations of dedication to your employer's responsibilities, undertaking other employment during the same period of time, in my view is fraud and represents a clear breach of your Employment Contract."

"Furthermore in the case of a claim for a work place injury at home, the circumstances are now even more complex to investigate. Which Employer is the claim against? Is all work being undertaken disclosed by the claimant? Did the circumstances of working multiple jobs contribute to the injury?"

Of course, where the circumstances are disclosed by the work to his/her employer, or where employment is Task Completion based [Tickets], the circumstances of fraud and breach of contract change.

Although, the economic pressure and costs of living are in no advantage to so called ‘overemployed’ community, it is important to implement measures which will work ethically and fairly for both, an employee and employer.

Where a worker works from home, employers should manage the work being undertaken via the use of smart monitoring software, providing all time periods on tasks by the worker accurately reported, if not via video surveillance via CCTV.

If carefully rethought, the outcomes will be beneficial for the economy at large!

Dr Daniela’s approach is guided by fairness, professionalism, and cultural respect. Her investigations aim not only to resolve claims efficiently, but also to foster trust and accountability across all parties.

She holds the following qualifications:

• Doctorate and Masters, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Visual Anthropology
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business
• Certificate III in Investigative Services
• Certificate in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy
• Certificate in basics of AI for Non-Coders, Big Data, Business Analysis

She has following experience:

• Years of practice in humanities, investigative areas, behavioural studies, observation, qualitative research methods (i.e. conducting interviews), ethnographic fieldwork, report and article writing)
• Photography and Videomaking Freelancer
• Language skills in Slovakian, Czech, English, Tok Pisin (Lingua franca of Papua New Guinea), German, basic Spanish

Dr Daniela’s LinkedIn Handle: