Flexible work hours eyed for federal government employees

OTTAWA — The federal government is taking the first steps toward giving federally regulated workers more flexibility in their work hours, part of a broader overhaul of employment rules.

The idea of flex time has been around for decades to help employees work around family issues such as a child in daycare or traditional cultural practices.

The Liberals vowed during the election to make it easier for federally regulated workers to ask for a change their work hours, or to seek permission to work from home if and when possible.

The party only committed to giving workers the legal right to ask for a change in hours, not to making the request binding on employers.

Labour Minister Mary Ann Mihychuk said the proposal would ensure workers don’t have to lose their jobs, or lose the hours necessary to qualify for employment insurance should they ever need it.

Mihychuk also said the proposal is aimed at helping more Canadians land jobs.

“More people want to work than there are jobs available and by sharing those jobs, we may be able to have valuable and meaningful careers for many, many more Canadians,” Mihychuk said.

The consultations will take the form of an online survey, available until June 30, and town halllike meetings across the country in the coming weeks.