Federal government tightens return-to-office rules for public servants

The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued updated return-to-office requirements that will see most public servants spending more time working on-site each week.

According to a notice from the Treasury Board, the changes will be introduced in phases. Executives will be required to work from the office five days a week starting May 4, while all other federal employees must report to the workplace at least four days per week beginning July 6.

At present, most federal workers are required to be in the office three days a week under a hybrid work policy that came into effect in September 2024, following extended remote work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move aligns Ottawa with similar decisions by provincial governments in Ontario and Alberta, which have recently mandated full-time, in-office work for their public-sector employees. The City of Ottawa has also taken comparable steps, citing operational consistency and collaboration.

Federal public service unions have criticized the new directive, arguing the government failed to properly consult employees and did not adequately consider the impact on work-life balance, commuting costs, and productivity.