Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the state government will introduce legislation to protect the ability of an employee to work from home.
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.
According to the state government, flexible working arrangements are utilised by workers and businesses alike, with more than a third of Australian workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly working from home.
The government stated it saves Australians on average $110 a week or $5308 every year.
To develop these laws, the government will undertake consultation led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
They will consider the types of businesses and the size of businesses that will be covered by this scheme, as well as the definition of remote work and who is able to do it.
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.
Following consultation, the state government will introduce and pass this legislation next year, with several legislative options available.
