The federal government has announced plans for its employees to return to in-person work at least four days a week starting in July. A communication on the Treasury Board of Canada’s website stated that consultations with bargaining agents will be conducted to implement this initiative. Additionally, government executives are expected to return to the office five days a week.
Currently, civil servants are required to work in the office three days a week, a policy introduced in September 2024 during the peak of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new requirement aligns with recent decisions made for public servants in Ontario and Alberta and the City of Ottawa.
Changes will be implemented gradually, with executives returning to the office on May 4 and the rest of the civil service transitioning to the four-day workweek on July 6. Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at these modifications to hybrid work arrangements in December, emphasizing that the return-to-office approach may vary based on seniority, roles, and capacity.
Despite the government’s intentions, unions have expressed concerns about the abrupt notification of the return-to-office orders, calling it a disregard for workers’ well-being. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) have criticized the lack of transparency and consultation in the decision-making process. PSAC’s national president described the announcement as disrespectful to federal public service workers and mentioned exploring legal options in response.
The government’s move to bring employees back to the office coincides with its plan to reduce approximately 40,000 jobs, representing a 10% reduction from the civil service’s peak size in 2023-24. A significant number of workers have already received notices about potential job cuts, adding to the 10,000 job losses in the civil service over the past year.