More than 170,000 workers allowed unlimited work from home days

More than 170,000 Australians have been given the green light to work from home five days a week in a move that is set to spark jealousy.

More than 170,000 Australian workers have been given the all clear to work from home as much as they like under a new union agreement.

The new allowance applies to union staff working in federal, ACT and Northern Territory public sectors, call centres, telecommunications, employment services, commercial broadcasting, aviation and science and research.

The agreement, made between the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Australian Public Service Commission, would also allow for roles to be performed in more locations.

It also agreed First Nations people would be able to request a flexible working arrangement and the agency would need to consider connection to country and cultural obligations.

CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly said the agreement would support employee retention.

“These significantly improved and enforceable flexible work rights will open doors for individuals who were previously unable to consider APS employment, or had to leave because of a change in circumstances,” she said.

Thousands of Australians will be allowed to work from home whenever they like. Picture: Cristian Tarzi/Unsplash

“The traditional approach to APS work has hindered the attraction and retention of staff across the Service. Flexibility in how, when and where public sector work is done will see the APS become increasingly diverse, adaptable and accessible.”

The announcement, she said, was “good news for public servants, public services, public policy, and the public”.

“We commend the APS for recognising the importance of flexible work, and the importance of consistent application across agencies. By embracing this opportunity and becoming a leader in workplace flexibility, the APSC and the government have taken meaningful steps towards establishing the APS as a model employer,” she said.

Ms Donnelly said work would continue on pushing APSC to improve pay and pay equity after “initial proposals failed to meet expectations”.

Ben Fordham on his radio program Wednesday described the agreement “ludicrous”.

“The agreement will apply to 174,000 public servants, the same group of people mind you that recently received a 10.5 per cent pay rise,” Fordham told listeners.

“It poses the question, what happens to all the workplaces? The corner offices are going to be collecting dust.”

Senior Nationals MP Keith Pitt told listeners of Fordham’s program he thought the flexible working arrangement was “outrageous”.

CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly said the agreement would support employee retention. Picture: CPSU

“Everyone’s now going to stay at home, and who’s going to pay for that? You are,” he said.

“In terms of the decision, it’s just outrageous. What happened to the definition of work? You go where your employer wants you because they pay you for a service and you do the things they ask.

“If the taxpayer is paying you to go to work, go to work. Everyone likes flexible arrangements and that’s fine, but you don’t flex until you break.”

The program reported that the publics service rented 645 office spaces across the country at a cost to taxpayers of $1.5 billion annually.

The officers cost taxpayers an additional $248 million in property operating expenses.

The agreement came as former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett slammed Aussies who work from home and argued in favour of them having their salaries cut.

In a bid to reinvigorate corporate Australia and increase productivity in the public sector, Mr Kennett says public servants who still work from home should be paid less than other frontline-oriented professionals like teachers, nurses, hospital staff and police.

“Those who have no alternative but to physically attend their workplace everyday,” Mr Kennett told Melbourne’s Herald Sun.

“Clearly, Victoria’s financial position is such that we cannot afford to be increasing salaries, so the most appropriate method is if a person chooses to work from home, whatever the number of days a week, their salary is reduced by the ­reduction in costs they would have otherwise incurred,” he added.

Originally published as More than 170,000 workers allowed unlimited work from home days