Key Takeaways
- The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) is calling on the Treasury Board to confirm whether the federal government plans to introduce a new return-to-office directive requiring public servants to be in the office 5 days a week by 2027.
- The current hybrid work rules require public servants to be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week, while executives are expected to be on-site a minimum of 4 days a week.
- Union leaders are concerned about the potential impact of a new directive on employees, managers, and departments, and are calling for the government to consider the costs and benefits of such a move.
- The government’s own analysis suggests that expanding remote work could save $6 billion and reduce traffic congestion.
Introduction to the Issue
The federal government’s return-to-office plans have been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, with union leaders calling on the Treasury Board to confirm whether a new directive is in the works. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) has written to the president of the Treasury Board, Shafqat Ali, expressing concerns about the potential impact of a new directive on employees, managers, and departments. The current hybrid work rules require public servants to be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week, while executives are expected to be on-site a minimum of 4 days a week. However, there are rumors that the government may introduce a new directive requiring employees to be in the office up to 5 days a week as early as 2026.
Union Concerns and Reaction
The president of CAPE, Nathan Prier, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of a new directive on employees and the lack of consultation with unions. In a letter to Ali, Prier stated that the last return-to-office rollout was a "complete fiasco" and that repeating those mistakes would be unacceptable. Prier is requesting a meeting with Ali to clarify the federal government’s plans for federal public servants. Other union leaders, such as Sharon DeSousa, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, have also expressed concerns about the potential impact of a new directive on workers and taxpayers. DeSousa stated that the plan to return workers to the office 5 days a week is "completely out of touch with what’s best for workers and taxpayers."
Government Response and Denial
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has denied that any changes to the office mandate are being considered, stating that the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace has not changed. However, an internal document from the Treasury Board Secretariat quoted in La Presse suggests that the government is considering requiring public servants to be in the office full-time by January 1, 2027. The spokesperson for Ali stated that the Treasury Board president is in regular contact with unions and that the government values the dedication of public service employees. However, the lack of clarity and transparency from the government has only added to the concerns of union leaders and employees.
Potential Impact and Costs
The potential impact of a new directive on employees, managers, and departments could be significant. The current three-day in-office model has been criticized for being inefficient and chaotic, with offices not having enough desks and shared workspaces being booked solid. Requiring employees to commute to the office 5 days a week could also create traffic nightmares, particularly in cities like Ottawa-Gatineau. Furthermore, the government’s own analysis suggests that expanding remote work could save $6 billion and reduce traffic congestion. Union leaders are calling on the government to consider the costs and benefits of such a move and to prioritize the needs of employees and taxpayers.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the federal government’s return-to-office plans are a topic of concern for union leaders and employees. The potential impact of a new directive on employees, managers, and departments could be significant, and the lack of clarity and transparency from the government has only added to the concerns. Union leaders are calling on the government to consider the costs and benefits of such a move and to prioritize the needs of employees and taxpayers. As the government considers its next steps, it is essential that they engage in meaningful consultation with unions and employees to ensure that any changes to the office mandate are fair, efficient, and effective. The City of Ottawa’s decision to require employees to be in the office 5 days a week as of January 1, 2026, serves as a cautionary tale, and the federal government would do well to learn from the city’s experience.
