A recent survey reveals that a significant number of Victorians, totalling 26,724 participants, consider the legal right to work from home as extremely important. As part of proposed new legislation in Victoria, if passed, employees in both the public and private sectors would gain the legal entitlement to work from home for a minimum of two days a week, provided it is deemed reasonable.
Despite this growing desire for remote work options, around 3,200 respondents expressed hesitancy in requesting flexible work arrangements from their employers. Notably, most participants indicated that the opportunity to work from home would influence their job choices positively.
The survey highlighted the primary benefits of remote work, with saving time listed as the top reason, followed closely by financial savings. Additionally, over 9,200 commuters reported weekly costs ranging from $25 to $49 for travel to work. The ability to work without distractions emerged as the third most common reason for preferring remote work, with 28,700 respondents claiming increased productivity while working from home.
Premier Jacinta Allan has recently announced plans to introduce legislation that would formally establish the right to work from home. She remarked, “Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit,” signifying the government’s commitment to supporting work flexibility. Allan noted that more than a third of Australians are already engaging in regular remote work. The proposed legislation aims to provide permanent flexible working conditions, which are estimated to save employees an average of $110 each week, reduce commuting time by an average of three hours, and offer support for women with children, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities.