The upcoming year will witness significant adjustments in the in-office work regulations affecting many employees nationwide, notably tens of thousands of provincial government personnel in Ontario and Alberta. Starting January 5, Ontario provincial government workers will be mandated to work in-office every weekday. Similarly, Alberta’s public service will transition back to full-time office work in February to enhance collaboration, accountability, and service provision for Albertans, as per an Alberta government representative.
While some provinces like Manitoba, British Columbia, and New Brunswick maintain more flexible hybrid work arrangements, others are reassessing their policies. Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories governments are both evaluating their remote work policies, with the latter having no immediate plans to compel employees to return to on-site work five days a week.
The timeline for federal public servants to increase their office presence remains uncertain. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged that a comprehensive plan on this matter will soon be unveiled. The specifics of the back-to-office policy, including the duration employees are expected to spend in the office, will be tailored based on individual job roles and seniority levels.
Several banks, such as BMO, Scotiabank, and RBC, have instructed their staff to raise their office attendance to four days per week. Similarly, private-sector entities like Amazon have mandated their corporate staff to be present in the office five days a week starting January 2.
Resistance against the return-to-office directives has been expressed by provincial and federal public sector unions. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada have criticized the respective mandates, citing concerns about the implications for workers and taxpayers.
Catherine Connelly, a business research chair at McMaster University, anticipates further opposition from unions in the coming months. She highlighted that while remote work offers financial savings and increased productivity for some, others find it impacts their work-life balance negatively. Companies may refine their remote work policies by introducing additional requirements for remote staff, such as childcare arrangements or specified availability periods.
The stance on remote work among municipalities varies, impacting local economies differently. In the National Capital Region, the shift to remote work during the pandemic had contrasting effects on downtown businesses and peripheral areas. Officials like Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy are advocating for flexibility in the return-to-office plans to address diverse needs and promote economic growth in local communities.