Federal Employees to Return to Office 4 Days a Week This Summer
The federal government is set to implement a significant change in work structure for its employees. Starting this July, federal employees will be expected to return to in-office work for a minimum of four days each week. This announcement was made through a letter from the Treasury Board of Canada, which indicated the government’s intention to consult with bargaining agents regarding this plan.
Details of the New Work Schedule
Prior to this announcement, civil servants were required to work in the office three days a week. This policy was enacted in September 2024 due to the shift towards remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic. The return to the office will be phased in, with government executives expected to work five days a week beginning May 4. The new expectation for the rest of the civil service will be effective from July 6.
Context and Rationale
- The return to office policies follow similar mandates in regions like Ontario and Alberta.
- The City of Ottawa has implemented comparable measures to revive its downtown economy post-pandemic.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously signaled changes to the hybrid work model during an event with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in December.
Union Reactions and Employee Concerns
Unions representing public servants have expressed strong opposition to the sudden change in office policy. They argue that the government did not properly consult them and provided little notice of this policy shift. Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), criticized the government for blindsiding workers.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) also condemned the announcement, saying it was insulting to make changes while negotiations were ongoing. Similarly, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) indicated that they were left unaware of the government’s intentions.
Implications of Job Cuts
This announcement arrives against the backdrop of the federal government’s plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 40,000 positions, equating to a 10 percent cut from the peak size of the civil service in 2023-24. A recent online tracker revealed that over 23,000 employees across 24 public organizations had received warnings regarding potential job cuts since December. Furthermore, the federal civil service has already experienced a reduction of about 10,000 jobs in just one year.
As the federal government navigates these changes, the future of workplace norms for civil servants remains uncertain. The implementation of the new return-to-office policy will likely shape the dynamics of work in the public sector moving forward.
