The Allan Government want to make flexible work a right for both public and private sector workers
The Victorian Government are pressing ahead with changes to legislation, enshrining the right to work from home in law.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industrial Relations, Jaclyn Symes have opened consultation on the proposed changes – bringing together worker and employers alike “to ensure the proposed laws reflect the real-world experience of working from home: what’s fair, what’s practical, and what’s already working.”
Two consultation ‘streams’ have been launched – a survey and a roundtable discussion set to be held in September – to understand what Victorians think of the proposals.
“Working from home works for families and it’s good for the economy,” a press release states.
“One of the reasons work from home is at risk because there are no rules – and workers don’t know where they stand. You can help us get the rules right by having your say,” Allan (pictured right) said.
Under the proposed laws, those that can reasonably do their job from home will have the right to do so for at least two days a week – regardless of if they work in the public or private sector.
Since its announcement earlier this month, the plans have received pushback from industry groups and businesses alike, with Westpac CEO Anthony Miller describing the move as “overreach.”
The sentiment was echoed from the Australian Industry (Ai) Group, who called the move “little more than pure political theatre.”
Following the announcement, HRD spoke with Nigel Ward, CEO and Director of Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors (ABLA), based in Sydney, who noted the decision creates more problems than solutions – especially legal quandaries.
