The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a workplace shift that was already underway – both globally and within Canada’s federal public sector. Federal offices were “already about 40 per cent empty before the pandemic,” according to Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
When federal public sector employees were forced to adapt quickly to working from home in March 2020, they thrived. For many, the flexibility to work remotely led to higher productivity and a better work-life balance.
Those who can telework should have the flexibility to choose the model that works for them.
But since 2022, the government has taken measures to scale back federal public sector employees’ ability to work remotely, requiring employees to work from an office at least two days a week. In April 2024, the Treasury Board announced that the number of mandated in-office days would be increasing to three days a week. This change happened unilaterally, with no consultation with employees or their unions, and did not consider existing issues with the hybrid policy already in place, or the negative impacts on employees.
CAPE is committed to winning telework rights for its members. Through our Telework Rights Working Group we are building a grassroots, member-led campaign to secure remote work for our members – and across the federal public sector.
Ultimately, CAPE aims to secure the right to telework in collective agreements, so that public sector employees can focus on what matters most – delivering for Canadians.
Updates
June 12, 2024 - An open letter to Treasury Board President Anita Anand
May 30, 2024 – Remote Work Rally: Unions stand up to Treasury Board president and Ottawa mayor
May 24, 2024 – Every employee has the right to work in a safe environment: the Portage incident
May 23, 2024 – CAPE, other federal unions and community leaders rally for remote work
May 22, 2024 – Media advisory: CAPE members rally for remote work rights to support stronger communities
May 8, 2024 – CAPE announces policy grievance and unfair labour practice against return-to-office mandate
May 8, 2024 – Joint letters from bargaining agents to TBS president and Jagmeet Singh
May 7, 2024 – Media advisory: Coalition of public sector unions challenging federal government’s in-office mandate
May 1, 2024 – CAPE fiercely opposes three-day per week return-to-office mandate
January 17, 2024 – Message from CAPE President Nathan Prier
Media articles of interest
*Please note that the news is provided in the original language only.
TVO - June 12
You can try to bully workers back into the office — but that won’t solve the real problem
Phys.org - June 12
Economist says hybrid work is a 'win-win-win' for productivity, performance and retention
Ottawa Citizen - June 6
Ching: An action plan that could rescue and rebuild downtown Ottawa
Globe and Mail – June 4
Nearly half of the federal government’s office space could be converted to housing, expert firm says
Globe and Mail – June 1
Wasted Space
Toronto Star – June 1
Navigating the Four Horsemen of Ottawa’s return to office mandate
Gartner - May 20
The Data Is In: Return-to-Office Mandates Aren’t Worth the Talent Risks
CAPE in the news
Resources
CAPE Telework Survey Results (May 2024)
CAPE Return-to-Office Survey Results (September 2022)
