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“More than 97 per cent of businesses are small businesses; this will impact them disproportionately and again regional and rural businesses will shoulder more of the brunt,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Victoria is already home to an extensive amount of red tape that makes doing business extremely difficult, and the proposed legislation could further hinder local enterprise.<\/p>\n
“It creates unnecessary division despite a widespread culture that allows work-life balance discussions between employers and employees.<\/p>\n
“Regional chambers support an open dialogue between employers and employees that reflects collaboration, not an additional maze of legality.”<\/p>\n
Ms Gillett said productivity must be protected in order to improve the economy, but the proposal privileges select industries and overlooks others, deterring workers from sectors that fall outside its bounds like those in construction, childcare, retail and hospitality.<\/p>\n
“This is an unfortunate example of over-governance that further muddles the structure of industry, micro-managing systems that are not under threat whilst ignoring deeper issues,” she said.<\/p>\n
When she announced the plans, Ms Allan said the Government would undertake consultation \u2013 which has already begun \u2013 to consider the types and sizes of businesses that would be covered by the legislation.<\/p>\n
It would also consider the definition of remote work and who is able to do it.<\/p>\n
“Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit,” Ms Allan said.<\/p>\n
“If you can do your job from home, we’ll make it your right \u2013 because we’re on your side.”<\/p>\n
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HIGH-ranking criticism of the State Government’s plan to legislate working from home two days a week has won support from Ballan and District Chamber of Commerce president Laura Sims. Speaking in her role as chair of the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance, Ballarat’s Jodie Gillett recently described the plan as “seriously concerning.” “The vast majority of […]<\/p>\n