The Case

Lauren Vercoe v Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme (2024)

A local government employee was required to work from home in accordance with State Government directions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic, a more flexible culture of working remained in place in the business, with staff permitted to work from home with approval of their supervisors.

The employee’s duties were typically office-based, and she had converted her sunroom into a home office, where she typically worked when working remotely.

In mid-September 2022, the employee requested permission to work from home on 19 September 2022 to look after a colleague's puppy, and her supervisor approved the request. To manage the puppy, the employee had erected a temporary pet gate in the sunroom.