Allan flags possible work-from-home carve-out for small businesses
The government launched an online survey on Tuesday that will run to the end of next month to gauge current practices and attitudes towards working from home. The survey will be followed by a series of formal discussions with business groups, unions and other stakeholders.
The proposed laws will be drafted next year in the lead-up to the November 2026 state election.
Allan's pledge to give anyone who can work from home a legislated right to do so two days a week has prompted a fierce backlash from employer groups. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group and members of the premier's business advisory have warned the move will damage productivity, confidence and the state's reputation as a place to do business.
The chamber's chief of staff, Chanelle Pearson, said while flexible work arrangements were an essential and accepted part of the state's labour market, the government was yet to explain how working-from-home rights would operate.
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'There is no need for this kind of legislation,' she said. 'We don't think it is warranted in Victoria. The onus is on the state government to tell the business community how this is going to work.'
The Victorian opposition has refused to join the criticism, with Liberal upper house leader David Davis on Tuesday acknowledging 'pretty clear' productivity benefits associated with work-from-home arrangements.
Allan said her government's consultations would focus on the size of companies the laws would apply to and how working from home would be defined. When asked whether small businesses would be exempt, she said this would be a question canvassed during consultations.
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