Back to the office? Minister to address ‘hybrid work model’ for public service – National | Globalnews.ca

Canadians working for the public service can expect an announcement Thursday about their working arrangements, according to a notice from Treasury Board President Mona Fortier.

Fortier’s press conference will be carried live here at 3:30 p.m. ET, when she is expected to discuss a “hybrid work model” for the public service.

In the almost three years since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most Canadians to stay in their homes, many government employees have continued to work from their residences — though some have returned to the office.

“As public health measures evolve, managers may identify a range of on-site work and flexible working arrangements to continue to deliver critical government operations and services to Canadians,” a post on the treasury board website said.

Rumours began to emerge in recent weeks that the government might be forcing its workers out of their homes and back into their cubicles.

Canada’s largest federal workers’ union, however, has reportedly slammed the possibility and argued any planned return to work should be part of collective bargaining conversations.

“It’s very concerning that unions haven’t been consulted on any plans for a blanket return to the office for federal public service workers,” Chris Aylward, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), said in a statement reporter Kathryn May published Monday in Policy Options.

“Bargaining agents need to be part of these discussions to ensure the health and safety of workers is at the heart of the decision.”

More to come…

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