The premier was similarly open to the idea of allowing businesses to require employees to work full-time from the office during the probationary period of their contracts.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat\u2019s a terrific example of how undertaking the consultation is about getting this right,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s about hearing from both businesses and also from workers about their real-world experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know not everyone wants to work from home. There are many who want to be in the office. This legislation is about protection for those who can, for those who need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most reliable national data on working from home, gathered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is that 36.3 per cent of people usually work from home \u2013 a figure that appears to have stabilised to a post-pandemic normal.<\/p>\n
Victorian public service employees are entitled to work from home two days a week, but Treasurer Jaclyn Symes confirmed that the real rate of such work was most likely higher.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnecdotally, whether that is being complied with strictly is probably questionable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is certainly our expectation that staff are in the office three days a week. That\u2019s certainly happening in my office, and I know it\u2019s happening in many workplaces, but I can\u2019t confirm it\u2019s happening across the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something that I think these conversations will help generate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The government\u2019s online survey, which asks respondents how many days they work from home, their reasons for doing so and the benefits and disadvantaged associated with it, will provide a more detailed snapshot of working-from-home practices in Victoria.<\/p>\n
Politically, the Allan government is convinced that its work-from-home pledge is a winner. During question time on Tuesday, the government used its entire allotment of ministerial statements \u2013 Victoria\u2019s version of Dorothy Dixer questions \u2013 to spruik the benefits of working from home.<\/p>\n
While reported productivity gains of work-from-home are more pronounced for individual workers than the companies that employ them, Allan said increased participation of women in the labour market was one of the clear benefits of more flexible workplaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt broadens the talent pool that employers can draw on for their workplaces,\u201d she said. \u201cWe know that balancing family responsibilities is a significant barrier, particularly for women to enter the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time when we have skill shortages, at a time when that is a real constraint on our economy, getting more people into the workforce is good for the economy, it\u2019s good for those businesses and it\u2019s great for the individuals who feel that they are making a meaningful, productive contribution to society.\u201d<\/p>\n