Coalition Leader, Peter Dutton’s threat to clamp down on work from home arrangements would likely impact 1 in 3 workers nationally, with a flow-on effect from public to private sector workers.
New analysis by the ACTU of ABS data shows that 1 in 3 workers could be impacted from the flow-on effect of the Dutton Coalition’s proposed changes to work from home settings.
More than 600,000 workers nationally currently work from home to spend less time commuting or to save money. If these workers are forced back onto the roads – it will add to congestion and make life harder for everyone.
A further 320,000 employees are working from home because of their childcare or other caring responsibilities.
In a double blow, more than 1 million people report they are working from home to “catch up” on work after hours. Not only will these workers be forced to stay longer at the office to finish their work; they also lose the right to disconnect, which has begun to lower rates of unpaid overtime.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President, Michele O’Neil:
“Working people in our outer suburbs face some of the longest and most expensive commutes.
“Forcing hundreds of thousands of workers back on the roads will mean less time with kids and more time in traffic.
“Blanket orders summoning people back to the workplace, will leave thousands without access to work from home settings and other flexible work options.
“This would be an instant productivity killer, because flexible work has pushed women’s workforce participation to record highs, as one million women joined the workforce in the last four years.
“Less flexible work will also reduce real wages growth. Under a Dutton-led Coalition, working women may need to prepare for a pay cut, because their only option to maintain workplace flexibility is likely to be moving into a part time job, and taking a pay cut.”
