Treasury Board Chair Mona Fortier announced on Thursday that starting next year, Canadians working for the federal public service will have to spend at least two or three days per week in the office.
Fortier said the new “hybrid work model” would ensure employees return to the office for between 40 and 60 percent of their regular work schedules.
The announcement also noted that since pandemic restrictions began to be lifted, a portion of Canada’s 335,000 federal government employees have already returned to on-site work for a few days each week.
“Creating a new working model has always required learning and evolution. This new approach is about refining the way hybrid is implemented,” the government wrote in its announcement. “Departments and agencies looking to are experimenting with how a hybrid work model can best support our mandate, and several have already offered models similar to the direction provided. Throughout this process, we have seen the need for consistency in how organizations implement hybrid working. To ensure continuity for our employees and those they serve, we are introducing a new hybrid working model.
a Post The Government of Canada website states that the new model will apply to all major public administrations. It also “strongly recommends” that other agencies adopt a similar strategy.
A phased introduction will take place on January 16, 2023, with full implementation by the end of March, to allow departments and staff to transition smoothly to a common hybrid model.
The government has outlined some possible exceptions to this model, including employees who were hired to work remotely prior to March 16, 2020. It will also allow Indigenous public servants whose location is important to their identity to work with their communities. Another exception is noted for employees who, with the permission of their assistant deputy minister, are working 125 km or more away from their designated workplace.
However, a Statement The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) shared that it is not in favor of the move.
“The government’s decision is not in the best interest of workers and is completely in line with the direction the government is moving towards remote working,” the statement said. “It is unacceptable that right before the holidays, employees will be scrambling to make new arrangements for child care, transportation, and possibly relocating if they have been hired remotely and are now required to come into the office. being asked for.”
The union said it is calling on the government to “stop” its plan, adding that federal public service workers have proven they can deliver the services Canadians depend on, whether they Working remotely or in the office.
a story from global news It also reported that the union had reportedly argued that any plan to return to work should be part of collective bargaining negotiations.
PSAC said, “Remote work is a major issue at the bargaining table for PSAC’s 165,000 federal workers, and unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of our members’ employment during negotiations is a gross violation of workers’ collective bargaining rights. “
