Federal civil servants in office without office

Federal civil servants are required to go to the office three days a week for a month, but there is a shortage of space in some departmental premises, particularly in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa and Shawinigan.

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Public Services and Procurement Canada, which manages office space for two-thirds of civil servants, can confirm some problematic cases.

“As common service providers, we are made aware of some spatial issues. We have communicated with these departments and we are working with them to find solutions so that their office space is adequate to house their employees,” Public Services and Procurement Canada said via email.

Some federal ministries have delayed the obligation of civil servants to be in office three days a week.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has lamented that many members have to travel to the office in person to work via videoconference with other colleagues across the country.

The union said Ottawa made the decision to increase the number of face-to-face days without considering impacts such as available office space.

“There are certainly special situations, because some people show up to work as planned and they have to reserve office spaces. Some are coming and the office spaces are already full,” explained the Quebec regional executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“We are in a deficit situation in terms of offices, so there is a shortage of offices to accommodate civil servants,” he said. “So they have to go back home to telecommute. So, we have a management problem right now.

The union opposes mandatory office attendance three days a week and is calling for a more hybrid model to be brought back.

The Federal Court will also hear a challenge from the Federal Civil Servants Union on the matter.

“The finance minister decided as part of his budget last spring to sell off some federal buildings to convert them into affordable housing. So, we're going to face a much higher deficit in the future,” Mr. Barrier adds.

Remember that from September 9 it is mandatory for civil servants to go to office at least three days a week.