Herbert Smith Freehills chairwoman Rebecca Maslen-Stannage says workplace laws that entrench weekend penalty rates and the right to disconnect are moving against global trends towards greater flexibility, as executives ramp up pressure on Labor and the Coalition to do more to reverse a productivity slump.

Ms Maslen-Stannage, a corporate lawyer, was one of several business leaders to push the parties to commit to cutting red tape, boosting workplace flexibility and pursuing tax reform, amid two days of meetings in Canberra with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor.