Federal Government Mandates Public Servants Return to Office Four Days Weekly
The federal government has announced a significant shift in workplace policy, requiring public servants to work from the office four days per week starting in July. This directive represents a substantial departure from the current three-day hybrid model that has been in place for most employees.
Timeline and Implementation Details
According to the announcement made on February 5, executives will be required to return to the office full-time beginning May 4, working five days per week on-site. For all other employees in the core public administration, the four-day-per-week mandate will take effect on July 6.
The move follows similar actions by the Ontario provincial government and the City of Ottawa, both of which required workers to return to the office full-time starting January 1 of this year.
Signs of the Coming Mandate
Rumors about a federal return-to-office mandate have circulated on Parliament Hill for several months. Last November, a government document leaked on social media detailed a return-to-office plan that closely matched the directive announced in February.
At the time of the leak, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali stated he was not aware of such a plan. The leaked document also described a full-time return to office for all federal employees beginning January 1, 2027.
Office Space Challenges
The four-day mandate raises significant questions about available office space. Dozens of departments and agencies within the core public service reported that more than half of their staff had no dedicated workspace in 2024, with eighteen organizations indicating that more than ninety percent of employees were "hoteling"—rotating through shared stations as they became available.
Management experts note that hoteling arrangements only function effectively when a substantial portion of staff work from home. A near-full-time return would force departments to either assign permanent workspaces or reduce head counts to accommodate existing building capacities.
Public Services and Procurement Canada has indicated they will work closely with departments to ensure adequate office space is available for employees under the new requirements.
Employee Reactions and Union Response
Public servants and contractors have expressed rising anxiety about the policy change, citing concerns about longer commute times, strained transit systems, increased out-of-pocket expenses, and the potential loss of flexibility that hybrid work arrangements have provided.
Some employees have already received internal communications indicating they should expect more in-office days. The policy shift has prompted union organizations to prepare for potential legal challenges, with one Member of Parliament breaking ranks to publicly oppose the mandate.
Workers have described frustration with the uncertainty surrounding the transition and apprehension about how the changes will impact their work-life balance and daily routines.
