Would you take a pay cut to work from home?
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett is proposing public servants who work remotely should be paid less than those that have no choice but to commute — such as nurses and teachers.
He explained his idea to Sammy J on ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast.
EDIT - Here’s the article in the Herald Sun they’re referring to (unpaywalled): https://archive.is/20230711234402/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bid-to-have-employees-salaries-cut-if-they-work-from-home/news-story/6273dad7538f5485e182a6cd5e19cc92
It’s an unpopular opinion, but I think this will happen organically over the coming decade.
WFH jobs are more desirable, naturally on premise jobs will have to pay more to attract employees.
Saying WFH jobs should take a pay cut is just incendiary phrasing. No one wants a pay cut.
One aspect not mentioned here is that, this will discourage the unnecessary “back to work” movement espoused by commercial property interests.
For roles which can be either WFH or on-premises, yeah. But in the case of nurses and teachers it’s not like they’ll have an option, and it’s not trivial to switch into or out of those professions. So I don’t think you can say this will occur organically across the public sector as a whole. It’ll only happen within silos of similar (enough) positions.
I think Coalition governments would probably like to give public servants a pay cut. Sure, there’s not many places the Coalition is in power at the moment, but when they do come into power again I’d imagine they’d find it handy to know where public opinion falls on cutting public servants’ wages (or at least reducing increases) depending on whether they WFH. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kennett is running this up the flagpole for them.
It’s not trivial to switch into or out of those professions, and yet the ability is a huge incentive to do so.
I don’t expect these changes will happen immediately, but in 10 years time I think it’s pretty natural to assume you’ll be able to earn more if you’re willing to work in an on premise profession.
Your opinion isn’t that unpopular… and it is siloed like the OP said too. Everyone can be right. Hooray!! - case closed 😁
Right now I’m across the border in the public service at a service further from home (commute is insane) with an option closer with more money (and stress). Very privileged and siloed. But yeah, my org knew what made them competitive and today I only dressed my top half 😎
It’s a formal arrangement 2 days a week, the world turns. I’m productive at home, they got to keep their “talent”… (little do they know haha)
To/dr Capitalism wins, may as well get yours…