The Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) has launched a new flexible work policy for Victoria’s public service employees.
VPSC said the launch of the policy, Guiding principles of flexible work, coincided with more public servants returning to offices, following almost a year of remote working.
“Flexible working is the now Victorian Government’s default position for the Victorian Public Service,” VPSC said.
“This means every role can have some form of flexibility,” it said.
VPSC said the Policy had been issued with a Guidance Note from the Victorian Secretaries’ Board recommending employees aim to work in a VPS office three days per week.
The Commission said this changed the starting point for flexible work negotiations for VPS employees from the expectation of working five days per week in an office environment down to three days.
Minister for Government Services, Danny Pearson said the Policy and Guidance Note struck the right balance between supporting the recovery of Melbourne’s CBD and ensuring that local suburban and regional areas didn’t lose the gains they made from VPS employees working closer to home.
“The revised Policy will support even greater participation by a broader range of Victorians in our public service including workers with disabilities, caring responsibilities and those living outside urban centres,” Mr Pearson said.
The VPSC’s 13-page Flexible Work Policy can be accessed at this PS News link and the Victorian Secretaries’ 2-page Board Guidance Note can be downloaded at this link.
