City workers expected back in office on Jan. 4

The city of Toronto hopes to set an example for other employers by ordering thousands of remotely working employees back into offices and other workplaces starting Jan. 4.

Mayor John Tory said Tuesday he is worried about empty downtown office towers and their impact on Toronto’s economy.

COVID-19 conditions are such that city staff can safely return to work at least three days per week to start, he said.

All city buildings, including city hall and the suburban civic centres, will reopen, including kiosks for payments and inquiries. In-person meetings will resume with accommodation for residents who want to participate remotely.

Tory defended the decision to move before everything is known about the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The roughly 8,750 staff who switched to remote work during the pandemic — about one-quarter of the city’s large workforce — need notice to prepare, he said, adding the plan will be adjusted if health officials warn of any emergent safety risk.

Dave Mitchell, president of CUPE Local 79, representing more than 20,000 of the city’s inside workers, said in a statement that the Jan. 4 date “for the city’s new hybrid work program seems ambitious, given the rising COVID cases in Ontario.

“We expect the city to be responsive to any changes in public health directives.”