Meet the 102-year-old commuter who doesn't want to work from home
A 102-year-old Perth academic told by his university to work from home is not happy about the decision and says he will be stuck inside his flat for most of the day if he has to pack up his office.
David William Goodall is an honorary research associate in the Centre of Ecosystem Management at Perth’s Edith Cowan University whose career in ecology spans 70 years.
Dr Goodall has worked in five continents and authored more than 130 scientific works.
He says the decision is due to the fear of possible legal consequences if he has an accident on campus.
The university wants him to be accompanied by an assistant when on campus but he describes his health as “pretty good”.
“I would like to continue in my pattern of work, partly because it’s a way of seeing my surroundings more than I would,” he told ABC radio.
102-year-old ECU professor David Goodall’s full story tonight on @abcnewsPerth at 7pm. #perthnews pic.twitter.com/QHJ7KjBnum
— Charlotte Hamlyn (@charlottehamlyn) August 21, 2016
He admits to having some difficulties in walking and does not walk more than 1km, but has no troubles with his commute to work which involves two buses and a train.
Dr Goodall, who this year was made a member of the Order of Australia, will now need to work remotely.
Vice-Chancellor Steve Chapman said the university had identified risks associated with Dr Goodall’s travel to and from the Joondalup campus, and also had concerns about his general wellbeing when there.
“To minimise these risks, we have consulted with him and his family and reached an agreement to set up a home office at a location of his choosing,” Professor Chapman said.
“David will always be welcome at ECU and we will make travel arrangements, at no cost to him, to attend pre-arranged meetings and events.
“His honorary appointment expires this December and we look forward to renewing this for another three years in recognition of the many contributions he has made, and continues to make, in the field of ecology.”
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