Victorian public servants refuse to return to the office, despite orders

Victorian public servants are still enjoying work-from-home perks, including a weekly allowance, with many yet to head back to the office.

Almost half of all Victorian public servants have refused to return to the office more than a month after they were ordered back to their desks.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal just 57 per cent of the state’s 50,000-strong public service are back in the office despite the government ordering them back at least three days a week.

It can also be revealed they are still being paid a generous working from home allowance that is tipped to have cost taxpayers at least $50 million since the beginning of the pandemic.

But senior government sources have confirmed the payouts are now under review, and if axed could encourage workers to get back behind their desks.

The state government has refused to detail how much it has spent on the allowances for staff working from home.

The bonus allowances were introduced in March 2020 and available to all public servants required to work from home.

They received a one off payment of $100 for home office expenses and an extra $20 every week for home office consumables and utilities.

Staff could also claim taxi fares to take bulky office items home, including chairs or computer monitors, instead of using public transport.

The state government has refused to detail how much it has spent on the allowances since it was introduced.

However Freedom of Information documents obtained by the state opposition have revealed the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions had paid out more than $2.8 million.

The Department of Treasury and Finance had paid out almost $600,000.

All ongoing or fixed term staff and casual employees required to work from home were entitled to the allowance.

Official data shows there were 50,474 employees working in the Victorian Public Service as at June 2020.

Public servants also locked in a lucrative pay rise amid last year’s ongoing lockdowns, with a new four-year deal that ended a long-running enterprise bargaining dispute.

It included annual pay increases, a new mobility payment, increased overtime rates and night shift allowances, and more parental leave.

The pay rise for public servants came despite a pay freeze in other state jurisdictions.

James Newbury, shadow assistant minister for Scrutiny of Government, slammed the government’s refusal to reveal its total allowance bill.

James Newbury.

Bill Lang.

“It is sickening that Daniel Andrews would give public servants a secret work-from-home allowance, whilst refusing to support thousands of small businesses who have been forced to shut up shop,” he said.

“To add insult to injury, these secret payments are on top of Daniel Andrews’ mid-pandemic cash splash which delivered a pay rise across the public sector.

“The State Labor Government has no shame and will always reward tax spenders, whilst tearing down tax payers.”

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang said business owners had been unfairly left behind.

“Last week the Ombudsman came out and said thousands of small businesses had missed out on government support because of flaws in the rollout of the Business Support Fund.

“Now this. Not only did public servants get a pay rise during the year, they got extra allowances, they didn’t have to drive in or use their Myki cards.

“But are we seeing an improvement of productivity, given the quality of the implementation of the small business grants program. I don’t think so.”

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokesperson said 57 per cent of all public servants had returned to their original work premises.

“The Victorian Public Service has demonstrated its ability to continue uninterrupted service delivery throughout the coronavirus pandemic while working remotely, and the return to office approach will continue to support ongoing flexible working for all VPS employees,” he said.

“As per the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s current workplace directions, the VPS are encouraging staff to return to work premises while balancing flexible work options.”

[e-mail]