The upcoming year will see significant shifts in workplace policies for many employees nationwide, with thousands of provincial government workers in Ontario and Alberta being mandated to return to full-time, in-office work.
Starting on January 5, Ontario provincial government staff will be required to be in the office five days a week, while Alberta’s public service will follow suit in February to enhance collaboration, accountability, and service delivery for residents, as stated by an Alberta government representative.
While Manitoba, British Columbia, and New Brunswick maintain more flexible hybrid work arrangements, other provinces are reassessing their remote work policies. Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories governments are both reviewing their remote work policies, with the latter confirming no immediate plans to enforce a full five-day office workweek.
The timeline for federal public servants to increase their office presence remains uncertain, with Prime Minister Mark Carney indicating that a clearer plan will be forthcoming. Carney mentioned ongoing discussions with public sector unions to define the specifics of the return-to-office policy, with further information expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Several financial institutions, including BMO, Scotiabank, and RBC, have already instructed their employees to increase their in-office days to four per week. Similarly, companies like Amazon are mandating corporate staff to work in the office five days a week starting in early January.
Despite these directives, provincial and federal public sector unions have expressed opposition to the return-to-office mandates. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada have criticized the lack of consideration and consultation in implementing these changes.
Catherine Connelly, a business research chair at McMaster University, anticipates continued resistance from unions as employees advocate for remote work flexibility. She highlighted the varying preferences among employees, with some valuing cost savings and productivity gains from remote work, while others prioritize work-life balance and workplace connections.
The private sector’s push for increased office presence may evolve as companies recognize the value of flexibility for retaining top talent. Connelly suggested that companies might refine remote work policies by introducing new guidelines, such as childcare requirements for remote workers and specified availability hours.
The impact of remote work policies on local economies has been mixed, with downtown businesses in the National Capital Region experiencing challenges during the pandemic while suburban areas saw growth. Officials like Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy are advocating for flexibility in the return-to-office plans to support employee well-being, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality in local communities.