Business leaders have warned of a “lawyers’ picnic” when workers and employers go head-to-head over Victoria’s proposed work-from-home laws to determine who is legally entitled to spend two days a week out of the office.

Premier Jacinta Allan introduced Labor’s laws into parliament on Tuesday and revealed the right for employees to work from home two days a week, where possible, would also apply to casual and part-time workers on a pro rata basis.

Facing sliding popularity and a surge in support for the populist right-wing One Nation less than six months from the state election, Allan framed the laws as a win for working families, which she said would save them time and up to $5000 a year on transport costs.

“When the system’s not working for working people, you’ve got to change the system. We know working from home works for families,” Allan said on Tuesday.

“That’s why we’re legislating. Make no mistake, there is an alternative: a Liberal-One Nation outfit that will cut workers’ rights to work from home.”

Victorians will be able to take their bosses to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for conciliation over work-from-home disputes, and proceed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal if the dispute is not resolved. However, disputes could take more than a year to settle, given both bodies are already struggling with their existing remits.

Last financial year, the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission resolved only 42 per cent...

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