The federal government has spent months insisting that workers must return to the office four days a week by July 6. With the deadline approaching, they are woefully unprepared. The government has warned this may happen, and now public service unions are free to say 'we told you so.'
Background of the RTO4 Policy
In February, the government ordered core public servants to return to work on-site four days a week, replacing the usual three-day schedule, despite furious objections from unions. Unions maintained the policy is flawed and could leave workers struggling to find workspaces. The government pressed on regardless, but now, in an embarrassing climbdown, acknowledges the lack of adequate space and is asking deputy ministers to stagger the return.
Space Shortages and Departmental Delays
In a letter to deputy ministers in May, Treasury Board noted that while many departments currently have enough space for workers returning four days a week, others do not. Consequently, Treasury Board asked deputy ministers to delay implementation schedules to match reality on the ground. This means departments with enough space will have workers in the office four days, while those facing space shortages will stick with the original three-day-a-week schedules for the foreseeable future.
The about-turn came after several large departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Statistics Canada, said they would not be able to meet the government's return deadline due to space shortages. This apparent mess could and should have been avoided.
Union Concerns and Health Safety Issues
Federal unions have repeatedly informed the government about a lack of adequate office accommodation and health safety issues, such as pests in office buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau. 'Our offices are overcrowded. We are spending time having to search for desks in the morning,' said Vivian Funk, vice-president of health and safety at the Association of Justice Counsel, in a complaint to CBC. 'Some of our members are coming in to find mouse droppings on their desks.'
Public Services and Procurement Canada reported that 549 confirmed pests in 93 federal buildings were recorded between April and November last year. The pests included ants, bats, bedbugs, bees, wasps, mice, and other insects.
Expert Warnings Ignored
Experts warned back in February that lack of space would be a challenge that could derail government plans. Real estate expert Shawn Hamilton said the government had produced no evidence that it could accommodate all returning workers. 'You can't just bring people back for the sake of bringing them back... We are questioning the math of where people will go,' he told CBC. These warnings fell on deaf ears.
Government's Current Approach
Now that the deadline is near, the government is trying to do things it should have done before ordering workers back. Ditching desk hoteling in favor of assigned seating or signing new leases is all well and good, but discussions on such measures should have taken place before forcing workers back. Now, the government is rushing things, and that often does not end well.
Accountability and Responsibility
As the employer, the government has the right to call workers back to the office. But in much the same way, it has a responsibility to ensure workers have not only a place to work but also a healthy and safe environment. You can't go to work worrying about mouse droppings or bringing bedbugs home.
With all the time the government had to implement a policy of its own choosing, this four-day return-to-work mess should have been avoided. Someone dropped the ball here and must be held accountable.
Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. Reach him at nylamiles48@gmail.com
