As the federal government prepares to welcome a frustrated workforce back to its offices on September 9, tensions are rising over a new policy that will require civil servants to spend more time in the office. Under the new policy announced in May, federal civil servants will have to be in the office at least three days per week, while executives will have to be in the office at least four days per week. This marks a significant increase from the current requirement of two days per week in the office.
Federal employees‘ unions have expressed opposition to the planned reduction in telework, citing struggles with transportation, work-family balance, and concerns about productivity. Many civil servants have reported being more productive when working from home and are reluctant to return to the office full-time.
In an effort to address the discontent among civil servants, Christiane Fox, deputy clerk of the Privy Council Office, has made the case for spending more time at the office. Fox believes that the new policy will improve the overall performance of the federal public service and help individual civil servants advance their careers. She emphasizes the importance of building a sense of teamwork and collaboration to tackle difficult public policy challenges.
Despite the government’s efforts to promote the benefits of office work, many civil servants remain skeptical. Some argue that the policy is intended to revitalize downtown cores in cities like Ottawa and Gatineau, where businesses and restaurants have been struggling in the post-pandemic environment. Civil servants like Audrey Groleau and Laurence Dufour have expressed concerns about the impact on their work-family balance and the increased costs associated with commuting to the office.
While some civil servants acknowledge the benefits of office work, such as improved team cohesion and networking opportunities, others are pushing back against the new policy. Federal unions have vowed to continue resisting the changes and are planning ongoing protests leading up to September 9. They have filed unfair labor practice complaints and grievances in response to the new policy and are preparing for future contract negotiations in 2025.
Despite the government’s insistence that office work is essential for collaboration and productivity, some civil servants and union representatives argue that remote work can be just as effective, if not more so, in certain cases. They stress the importance of flexibility in allowing federal employees to perform at their best, whether in the office or at home.
As the debate over office work continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the federal government will address the concerns of its workforce and navigate the challenges of transitioning back to in-person work. With ongoing resistance from unions and civil servants, the issue is likely to remain a point of contention in the coming months.