Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will not enforce a mandatory four-day in-office workweek for most employees, starting July 6, due to insufficient office space, as reported by Radio-Canada. The change affects the majority of unionized department staff who are currently required to be in the office three days a week.
While the Treasury Board Secretariat previously mandated all unionized federal public servants to return to the office for a minimum of four days a week starting July 6, an internal GAC memo indicates that unionized employees will only need to report to the office for three days weekly indefinitely. Starting September 15, one of these days must be either a Monday or a Friday.
Managers and assistant directors under a director’s supervision, regardless of union status, will transition to a four-day in-office workweek between July 6 and September 15. This move aims to provide employees with timely face-to-face guidance to enhance teamwork and collaboration, with managers present four days a week receiving designated workspace.
The new office attendance plan will remain in effect until adequate workspace becomes available. The Public Service Alliance of Canada expressed concerns, stating that the return-to-office mandate has created logistical challenges.
GAC’s decision to implement a phased return-to-office strategy is due to ongoing renovation projects limiting available workspace. The department has not specified the eventual date when unionized employees will be required to work on-site for four days a week. GAC had 7,657 employees as of last year.
Additionally, a standardized annual telework agreement renewal cycle will be introduced to enhance workspace management clarity and predictability. Telework agreements must be renewed for implementation by September 15.
President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Sean O’Reilly, believes GAC’s adjustment to its return-to-office policy due to space constraints may prompt other departments to make similar decisions in the coming weeks.