FIT Policy Proposal: Work-from-Home Rights and Infrastructure (WHRI)

Vision Statement

FIT supports a future where work is flexible, inclusive, and human-centered. The Work-from-Home Rights and Infrastructure (WHRI) policy aims to enshrine the right to remote work, empower individuals to choose how they work best, and ensure no one is excluded due to geography, caregiving responsibilities, or disability.

Core Principles

• Right to Remote Work: If a job can be done remotely, the employee has a presumptive right to do it.
• Flexible Hybrid Options: Encouragement of hybrid models with employee choice.
• Equity of Access: Ensure infrastructure access for all Australians, regardless of location.

Policy Components

• Legal Right to Request WFH: Enshrine remote work request rights with employer accountability.
• National Digital Infrastructure Investment: Universal high-speed internet, including rural areas.
• Tax Benefits and Stipends: Home office deductions and optional monthly WFH allowance.
• Productivity and Health Standards: Support humane working rhythms, mental health, and burnout prevention.
• Inclusion and Opportunity Expansion: Promote remote-first hiring and accessibility for diverse needs.
• AI and Automation Integration: Ethical use of AI to enhance—not surveil—remote work.

Expanded Societal Benefits

• Reduced strain on transport infrastructure: Less congestion, lower maintenance costs, and fewer emissions.
• Decentralized population growth: Rural towns thrive as people live where they want.
• Improved family and community life: More time for relationships and civic engagement.
• Economic resilience: Distributed workforces are more adaptable to crises.

Funding

Reallocation from outdated commuter infrastructure budgets and long-term savings from increased productivity and lower emissions.

Long-Term Vision

Redefine “workplace” as any environment where meaningful contribution happens. Strengthen rural economies, reduce urban over-concentration, and improve quality of life by letting people live where they want, how they want.