Ottawa updates policy, requires public servants to work in office three days a week by September
The federal government has confirmed that it has updated its policy on remote work and will be requiring public servants to spend three days a week in the office by midseptember.
The decision has been met with frustration from employees and unions, with a Public Service Alliance of Canada leader stating that the union plans to file unfair labour practice complaints.
In a message to deputy ministers on Wednesday, Secretary of the Treasury Board Catherine Blewett and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Jacqueline Bogden said that executives will be required to spend even more time working in person, and are expected to be on-site a minimum of four days a week.
The message indicated that separate agencies are “strongly encouraged” to implement a similar plan.
“A LACK OF RESPECT”
Kevin Taylor, a federal public servant based in Rockland, said he’s not upset that he’ll be spending more time in the office, but wishes he had learned about the government’s plans from his employer, rather than through the news.
“I enjoy going in,” Taylor said. “My only gripe is it would be nice if we found out before the media. I just find it’s a lack of respect for your employees when that happens.”
In late 2022, most federal public servants were instructed that there would be a return to the office for up to three days a week. The government’s direction on prescribed presence in the workplace mandated that deputy heads implement a “minimum requirement of 2-3 days per week in the workplace for all public servants” or a minimum of 40 per cent to 60 per cent of employees’ regular schedule.