Concerns Grow Over Federal Return-to-Office Plan as Infrastructure Questions Remain
OTTAWA:As federal public servants are set to return to the office four days a week this summer, experts and public sector unions are raising concerns about the lack of a clear strategy and sufficient infrastructure to support the shift.
Federal employees are currently required to work in the office three days a week, while executives already report four days weekly. However, the Treasury Board of Canada announced Thursday that executives will be required to return to the office five days a week starting May 4, with all other federal employees mandated to attend in person four days a week beginning July 6.
The announcement has sparked questions about whether the federal government has the necessary office space and planning in place to accommodate the increased in-office workforce.
Shawn S. Hamilton, principal at Proveras Commercial Realty, said the government must present a “demonstrable strategy” to justify the return-to-office mandate and ensure it can be implemented effectively.
“You can’t just bring people back for the sake of bringing them back,” Hamilton said. “You’ve got to bring them back, locate them with their teams and create opportunities for collaboration.”
Hamilton, who has worked extensively with both public- and private-sector tenants, said he has not seen evidence of plans to expand or reorganize office space across the National Capital Region. Even with anticipated reductions in the federal workforce, he said serious logistical challenges remain.
“We haven’t been hearing anything on the street,” Hamilton said. “We’re questioning the math of where people will go.”
Unions representing federal workers have also voiced concerns, warning that unclear planning could lead to overcrowded offices, reduced productivity and employee dissatisfaction.
The Treasury Board has not yet provided detailed information on how departments will manage the transition or address space and infrastructure constraints as the new mandate approaches.
