'Remote work is how we'll build the public service of tomorrow. One that uses cutting-edge technology, but still maintains the human touch'
Several unions representing more than 330,000 workers have launched a national campaign promoting remote work as the future of work.
The campaign by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) highlights the benefits of remote work for people in Canada.
A previous PSAC survey found that 90% of workers want to either work remotely as much as possible or have a flexible option.
This data also shows remote work options and flexible arrangements are key to promoting a healthy work environment and for recruiting and retaining the best talent, according to the union.
“The evidence is clear: remote work is good work. Flexible work arrangements allow us to build the modern, productive public service of tomorrow which will benefit everyone in Canada,” says Sharon DeSousa, National President of PSAC. “It saves taxpayers money, is better for the environment, and sets the bar for all workers across the country.”
Currently, communications firm WPP is facing pushback from employees after it told workers that they will need to return to the office four days a week starting April, according to a previous report from Media Week.
The campaign notes that remote work has revolutionized the way of working in the country, adding that this is “a better way to work”.
“Remote work is how we’ll build the public service of tomorrow,” the campaign states. “One that uses cutting-edge technology, but still maintains the human touch. That sets the bar for all workers in Canada and puts people first. That focuses on delivering the best services to families and business and saves taxpayers money. That creates a diverse public service from communities all across Canada.”
The unions note remote work is good for workers’ productivity. Citing data from Statistics Canada (StatCan), the unions note that productivity in the federal public service grew by 4.5% between 2019 and 2023, “far outpacing the private sector, all while working remotely”.
It also benefits workers.
“Every worker has unique needs and so does every job. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for Canada’s diverse public service. By prioritizing remote work, collaboration, and the well-being of workers, the government can demonstrate a commitment to innovation, equity, and progress that other employers across the country can and should follow.”
Seven in 10 (70%) hybrid workers believe returning to a central office five days a week would negatively affect their wellbeing, according to a previous International Workplace Group (IWG) report.
Also, remote work “saves money for the government”, and is “building a diverse federal public service,” according to the campaign, which will be featured on the radio, in print, on social media and out-of-home ads across the country.
The unions are also calling on workers to “tell the government to prioritize good work and end the mandate” by joining the campaign and talking about the issue on social media using #RemoteWorks.
“It’s time to embrace the future of work in Canada,” say the unions.
The federal government’s return-to-office (RTO) mandate has faced a lot of resistance from workers’ unions in Canada.
The full implementation of the government’s RTO rule officially took effect in September 2024. Meanwhile, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) later on required workers to report to the workplace five times a week, according to a previous report from Ottawa Citizen.
Despite the mandate, however, several government workplaces – including Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – proved to be unprepared to welcome workers back, according to another Ottawa Citizen report.
Several government agencies, including ESDC and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat – which is responsible for enforcing RTO policy – failed to meet their RTO targets in the first month of the full implementation of the rule, according to a previous report.
PIPSC and CAPE have previously called for a formal probe into the federal government’s RTO mandate for federal public service workers.
In early 2023, PIPSC filed an official bad faith bargaining complaint against the CRA for imposing a blanket return-to-office policy.