Why huge WFH plan could be here to stay
But the Victorian Chamber of Commerce has raised 'major concerns' on whether the plan could create 'inequality' in the workforce due to the small percentage of people being granted such a right.
The state government is promising to introduce the law — covering both public and private sectors — by next year, with it applying to anyone who can 'reasonably' carry out their work away from the office. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced her government would attempt to enshrine the right for workers to work from home twice a week under new laws. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
Premier Jacinta Allan told the annual state Labor conference: 'Working from home works for families and it's good for the economy.'
'Day after day, unions are being contacted by workers who have been denied reasonable requests to work from home, and across the country, Liberals are drawing up plans to abolish work-from-home and force workers back to the office and back to the past.
'Enshrining work from home in law means this life-changing practice isn't something you or your loved ones have to politely ask for. It's a right you'll be entitled to.'
However, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about how the move would damage productivity and teamwork, removing the ability for employers to negotiate appropriate agreements with staff.
The body's chief executive Paul Guerra said it was 'perplexing' why the policy was a priority, given the Federal Government's focus on boosting productivity through the Economic Reform Roundtable.
'If Victoria moves away from the legislated national system, businesses will move interstate and jobs will be lost.
'If we want businesses to be productive – and to raise the economic prospects of everyone in this state and this country – we need to get out of their way and let them operate in a way that best suits their model.'
Concerns have also been raised by the Chamber about whether the work from home proposal is unconstitutional – if enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) are already in place, as they operate under the federal jurisdiction.
Ms Allan will add that a consultation will take place on the proposed Australia-first law, but added it won't determine if the plans should go ahead.
'We're already clear on that: it should be. We just need the appropriate laws to reflect it,' she said.
Ms Allan said the new policy is aimed directly at supporting families, promising average savings of $110 per week, or $5308 annually in commuting costs.
'Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work,' Ms Allan said.
'Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.'
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year.
The move follows significant debate about work from home policies during the federal election, with Peter Dutton forced to backtrack on a proposed policy to limit remote work for public servants due to public backlash.
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