Treasury Board 'committed to hybrid work' after reports of mandated change coming in fall
The Treasury Board of Canada will only say it is “committed to hybrid work,” as reports suggest federal workers may be required to spend more time in the office.
Le Droit, a French publication, first reported that the federal government is set to mandate public servants back to the office three days a week starting in September.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson said the Treasury Board will "continue to assess how hybrid work is implemented and optimized across the public service, adapting as necessary."
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government implemented a hybrid work policy, seeing employees in the office at least two days each week.
According to the Treasury Board website, the hybrid work policy, "gives employees whose jobs can be done remotely the flexibility of working at home when appropriate and in an office when required."
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is the largest union representing public servants, and regional executive Alex Silas said they were not consulted about any changes.
"We haven't had anything official confirmed or nothing official communicated either publicly by Treasury Board or to us at the union by Treasury Board," he said.
"What I will say, though, is if the Treasury Board does decide to move in this direction, then it completely flies in the face and goes against all the commitments they made at the bargaining table to work with the union to achieve flexible hybrid work arrangements for public service workers."
Silas said public servants continue to show that the hybrid model works.
"I agree that the downtown core and the businesses there need to be better supported, but that shouldn't fall on the backs of workers and the federal public service. The city of Ottawa should have a plan to support downtown Ottawa that doesn't just depend on the federal government."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked about the reports at a press conference in Ottawa Monday morning. He said, "I think that's really positive news. And it's all about revitalizing the downtown core here in Ottawa and supporting the mayor on the transit system." The Premier also referenced small business who might be struggling. "The federal government is the largest employer. So it's really, really good news that the staff is coming back to the work."
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also reacted, saying, "Downtown Ottawa has been hit disproportionately compared to other Canadian cities by the effects of COVID, by the effects of hybrid work. And the federal government in its recent budget talked about moving out of 50 per cent of its buildings in the downtown core and elsewhere in Ottawa. That will have a devastating impact on our economy. So we need to work with the federal government on a solution, and many solutions to make sure that we have economic prosperity in the downtown core, that small businesses and restaurants and shop owners are protected, that our finances as a city are protected."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.