"As someone who's spent decades advocating not just for jobs, but for employment that benefits both individuals and economies, I see this debate cutting straight to the core: real progress comes when people and companies work together. Mandates may look bold, but compulsion rarely washes well. Which brings us to the sharper question: How would US employers react to a legislated work-from-home mandate?"
"My hometown of Melbourne (in the State of Victoria) has had its fair share of headlines. You may recall the city's mandated 262 days of COVID-19 lockdowns that were among the world's longest. And during this time, Novak Djokovic ran into Victoria's hard line after arriving unvaccinated for the 2022 Australian Open, and he was summarily deported. A year later, in 2023, he returned and won the Australian Open - his 10th title at the tournament."
"Now, Victoria's government is again pushing the envelope, aiming to legislate a right to remote work. But the reaction from business has been less than positive. Many employers were quick to call it government overreach. Others threatened to relocate their businesses and leave the state. Supporters counter that it could boost workforce participation, reduce carbon emissions, and help working parents balance paid work and family care."
The State of Victoria proposes a legal right to work from home at least two days a week. The proposal elicits strong opposition from many employers, with some calling it government overreach and threatening to relocate. Supporters argue the mandate could increase workforce participation, cut carbon emissions, and help working parents balance paid work and family care. Melbourne experienced extensive COVID-19 lockdowns and high-profile enforcement episodes, illustrating a history of strict policy measures. American business culture and a patchwork of state laws make a nationwide U.S. right to remote work unlikely.
Read at Forbes
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]