Workplace flexibility rivalling healthcare, cost of living as top voter priority

Flexibility in the workplace continues to be a focal point pertaining to the federal election, with it becoming a defining factor for how a number of Australians plan to vote.

The politicisation of workplace flexibility has been an ongoing tug-of-war battle, spurring passionate pushback by a wide range of public and private sector workers across Australia.

This passion was exemplified by Peter Dutton’s mid-election campaign backflip on his controversial policy to recall all public sector workers back into the office five days a week. Dutton – who rolled out the policy as a figurehead to his campaign – scrapped the policy after widespread backlash labelled the opposition leader as “out of touch”.

According to Rippling’s Workforce Dynamic Report 2025, there’s a big misalignment between employees and employers in terms of the importance of workplace flexibility. The data from the survey showed that 34 per cent would reconsider joining a company lacking hybrid options, and 42 per cent if they expected attendance in the office five days per week.

Additionally, 46 per cent would reconsider if they didn’t prioritise work/life balance, while 53 per cent place family-oriented benefits (flexible hours, parental leave) above all else, with some citing burnout risks when boundaries aren’t respected.

A recent Fair Work Commission review revealed that childcare workers could be set to receive a 35 per cent pay increase. However, the commission warned that if these increases are not supported by the government, cost increases could hit parents – highlighting the importance of flexible work options.

The data from the report also showed that work/life balance (48 per cent) was considered the top factor contributing to a positive experience at an organisation.

“There’s a growing disconnect between what employees expect and what workplaces are delivering when it comes to flexibility,” Matt Loop, vice president and head of Asia at Rippling, said.

“For instance, our research shows only 26 per cent of employees say their workplace has a formal Right to Disconnect policy, despite new legislation coming into effect last year. At the same time, 34 per cent say they would leave a company that doesn’t offer hybrid options.”

“It’s clear that for employees, flexibility is no longer seen as a perk: it’s become a proxy for culture, trust and respect.”

Loop claimed that despite the recent politicisation of remote and flexible working arrangements only really emerging as key issues in the public forum recently – it’s a topic that many workers have been frequently standing firm on.

“With political leaders weighing in on remote work, it’s no surprise flexibility has entered the federal election discourse, but it’s not a new conversation,” Loop said.

“Australians have been vocal about the need for flexibility for some time now, and high-profile shifts tend to amplify the issue, not initiate it. For many voters, it now sits alongside cost of living and healthcare as a factor shaping who they vote for.”