Key Takeaways:
- As of January 5, Ontario provincial government employees will be required to work in the office five days a week
- Alberta’s public service will also return to full-time, in-office work in February
- The federal government is reviewing its remote work policy, with a plan expected to come into "sharper view" soon
- Private-sector companies, such as banks and Amazon, are also increasing their office presence requirements
- Unions are pushing back against return-to-office mandates, citing the benefits of remote work for employees and taxpayers
Introduction to Return-to-Office Policies
The new year is bringing significant changes to the rules on in-office work for many employees across the country. Tens of thousands of provincial government staff in Ontario and Alberta will soon be required to return to the office full-time, with Ontario provincial government employees expected to work in the office five days a week as of January 5. Alberta’s public service will also return to full-time, in-office work in February, with the goal of strengthening collaboration, accountability, and service delivery for Albertans. These changes are part of a larger trend, with several provinces reviewing their remote work policies and private-sector companies also increasing their office presence requirements.
Provincial and Federal Policies
While some provinces, such as Manitoba, British Columbia, and New Brunswick, retain more flexible hybrid work rules, others are taking a more traditional approach. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reviewing its remote work policy, while the government of the Northwest Territories has stated that there are no plans to require employees to return to the workplace on-site five days a week. At the federal level, Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised that a plan for federal public servants will soon come into "sharper view," with details expected to be made public over the course of the next several weeks. The current rule requires federal public servants to work a minimum of three days a week in-office, with executives in the office four days per week.
Private-Sector Trends
Several private-sector companies are also making changes to their policies, with some requiring employees to increase their office presence. For example, BMO, Scotiabank, and RBC have told their staff to increase their office presence to four days per week, while Amazon is requiring its corporate staff to be in the office five days a week as of January 2. These changes reflect a shift towards a more traditional office-based work model, with many companies citing the benefits of in-person collaboration and communication. However, some employees and unions are pushing back against these changes, citing the benefits of remote work for productivity, work-life balance, and employee satisfaction.
Union Response
Provincial and federal public sector unions have pushed back against return-to-office mandates, arguing that they are out of touch with the needs and preferences of employees. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has stated that the provincial government’s decision to order all its workers back to the office full-time was made without consideration for the realities faced by front-line public service workers. The Public Service Alliance of Canada has also expressed opposition to the federal government’s push to get federal workers to spend more time in their offices, stating that it will challenge any changes to remote work policies in court and in the workplace. According to Catherine Connelly, a professor and business research chair at McMaster University, more pushback from unions is to be expected in the coming months, as many employees value the flexibility and benefits of remote work.
Economic and Social Impacts
The shift towards return-to-office policies is also having economic and social impacts on municipalities and local communities. In the National Capital Region, where a large number of public servants live, many downtown businesses took a hit when government staff were working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, areas outside of the Ottawa core saw growth, highlighting the complex and varied effects of remote work on local economies. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has stated that he thinks adding another "day or two" in the office is feasible, and that the city is working on expanding transit options and opening the next phase of its light-rail system. Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy has also expressed support for flexibility in return-to-office plans, citing the benefits for employees, office space management, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, the return-to-office trend is a complex and multifaceted issue, with different provinces and companies taking varying approaches. While some argue that in-office work is essential for collaboration and productivity, others cite the benefits of remote work for employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and environmental sustainability. As the federal government reviews its remote work policy and private-sector companies continue to evolve their approaches, it is likely that we will see ongoing debate and negotiation around the future of work. Ultimately, finding a balance between the needs of employees, employers, and local communities will be key to creating a successful and sustainable work environment.