Quebec employers tightening rules for return to office: report

Employers in Quebec are more eager to get workers back into the workplace, judging by a recent survey.

The proportion of employed parents can telework remains stable, at around six in 10 (58%), most of them in a hybrid model.

However, nearly half (46%) of workers say that, over the past year, their employer has tightened its telework policy in order to encourage greater presence in the office, finds Concilivi, an organization focused on work-family balance.

Among those being called back into the office, 22% say they are required to be there more often, though 24% say this is preferred by the employer, not a requirement.

“Teleworking allows for greater flexibility in managing tasks and schedules, and this is reflected in the feeling of performance at work,” says University of Quebec’s Professor Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay, who collaborated on the annual study.

Overall, 61% of survey respondents consider themselves more efficient when they are teleworking. This impression is even higher among female workers (68%) than among male workers (54%).

One challenge in calling workers back into the office is finding the space to accommodate these workers, according to a previous report.

Work-life balance, caregiving responsibilities with hybrid work

The hybrid formula is highly appreciated by 85% of survey respondents, and 79% believe that it facilitates work-family balance, says Tremblay.

“However, employers are trying to bring employees back to the office, stating that creativity and performance are better in the office than remotely or with online meetings.”

Currently, 43% of workers struggle to maintain work-life balance, up from 39% in 2023 and 33% in 2022, according to Concilivi’s report.

“There is also a decrease in the use of work-life balance measures, especially those that require flexibility in work organization, such as vacation choices, family leave, making up accumulated time or splitting up leave. Among the reasons given, wanting to conform to workplace expectations has increased significantly, from 9% to 15%.”

Challenges for working parents with RTW

Also, 53% of working parents with caregiving responsibilities are struggling to balance their roles at work and of taking care of their children, according to Concilivi, based on a survey of 3,078 Quebec workers who are either parents or caregivers.

Over one in three caregivers (39%) also say they fear negative impacts on their career if they request leave or adjustments. What’s more, 38% say they avoid revealing their situation to their employer for fear of judgment or loss of opportunities at work.

Two-thirds of working parents (66%) cite paid time off as their top priority when asked which benefit they value most, according to a previous report.

“Family-work balance policies are generally designed to meet the needs of parents, and the reality of caregivers in the workplace is often misunderstood, which can contribute to a feeling of stigmatization on their part,” says Corinne Vachon Croteau, Executive Director of the Réseau pour un Québec Famille.

“It is worrying to see that so many caregivers do not dare to talk about their reality to their employer. This shows to what extent it is a taboo that has no reason to exist. With the aging of the population, it is becoming imperative to implement concrete measures to support caregivers. Raising awareness among employers of their needs and the diversity of caregiver situations is the next challenge in balancing family and work.”