The Victorian government intends to make working from home a right.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced over the weekend that her government will introduce legislation to protect the ability of an employee to work from home.
She said under this proposed law, if you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week – public sector or private sector.
Premier Allan said working from home “works for families and it’s good for the economy”.
She said more than a third of Australian workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – are already regularly working from home.
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Premier Allan said it saves families money (on average $110 a week or $5308 every year), cuts traffic congestion, and gets more people working as it supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work.
She said it’s also good for business, as “those who work from home are working nearly 20 per cent more hours than those who are working in the office full time”.
To develop the working from home laws, the government intends to undertake consultation led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
“We will consider the types of businesses and the size of businesses that that will be covered by this scheme, as well as the definition of remote work and who is able to do it,” Premier Allan said
“Consultation will focus on ensuring the law reflects the real-world experience of working from home: what’s fair, what’s practical, and what’s already working in many workplaces today.
“This consultation process won’t determine whether working from home should be a right.
“We’re already clear on that: it should be.
“We just need the appropriate laws to reflect it.”
Following consultation, the Labor Government intends to introduce and pass this legislation next year.
Opposition leader Brad Battin said the the Victorian Liberals and Nationals recognise that working from home has become a valuable option for many workers and families.
“We support measures that help Victorians enjoy a better work-life balance, and will review any legislation closely, to ensure it supports flexibility, productivity, and personal choice,” he said.
