Flexible work to be part of Australia’s Civil Service 

Upcoming negotiations on flexible work, including working from home, will be a paramount first test of the Australia’s government commitment to becoming a model employer, suggested the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

The focus on flexible work rights as part of the Australian Public Service (APS) Service-Wide bargaining, says the Australian trade union, will help to address APS’ ongoing hiring and retention crisis, which CPSU says has not affected the service provided to the public, but also impacted long-serving employees who have remained with the federal civil service.

Flexible work models, which can include hybrid work models that incorporate working from home, have risen in popularity in workplaces and are prioritised by potential candidates when it comes to applying for new jobs. The CPSU believes that providing clarification and solidfiying these work models into enterprise agreement will create opportunities for the Australian Public Service workforce to diversify and attracting more skilled employees.

READ: Australia steps up efforts to address work-related gendered violence

Melissa Donnelly, CPSU National Secretary, added, “Flexible working arrangements, including working from home are becoming the status quo in modern employment and Thursday’s meeting (April 27) will be an early indicator as to whether or not the Government is ready to lead the way on that or if they’ll be playing catch-up later.”

“Flexible work creates opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive workforce, particularly for those who may face barriers associated with traditional or full-time office-based employment, including people with disability, people with caring responsibilities and people in rural and regional areas.”