Regina City Council voted 6-5 on June 25, 2026, against a motion that would have required municipal employees to return to in-person work. The decision maintains the current hybrid work model for city staff.
Council divided on return-to-office policy
The motion, brought forward by Councillor Bob Hawkins, proposed ending remote work options for most city employees. Hawkins argued that in-person collaboration improves service delivery and team cohesion. However, a majority of council members opposed the measure, citing employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Councillor Cheryl Stadnichak said, "We have seen no evidence that productivity has suffered under the hybrid model. Forcing employees back could harm morale and retention."
Impact on city operations
The City of Regina employs approximately 3,000 people, of whom about 40% currently work remotely at least part-time. The rejected motion would have required all non-essential workers to be on-site by September 2026. Mayor Sandra Masters noted that the city has saved an estimated $500,000 annually in utility and office supply costs since adopting hybrid work.
City administration will continue to evaluate the hybrid model and report back to council in six months.
