Canadian public service union ‘pissed off’ about flexible work posturing

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The Canadian government is facing fresh criticism over changes to public servants’ flexible work arrangements.

Canadian public servants must spend at least three days a week in the office from this Wednesday. Executives are expected on site four days a week.

The Canadian Treasury board suggest this will increase productivity, and workplace health and safety. But the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has accused the government of ignoring its own evidence.

Documents obtained by PSAC showed earlier versions of the policy included strong evidence hybrid work was a net positive for workers and the government.

The first option floated by Treasury was a “flexible first” option, without prescribed office hours.

A slide deck presenting workplace policy options said this “leads to a high focus on tasks at hand, improving efficiency and overall performance”. Other iterations were considered, including scheduled anchor days, and arrangements that encourage but don’t mandate office time.

By February 28, hybrid work had been dropped from the discussion. The option that was ultimately adopted was considered the “most disruptive”.

PSAC national president Sharon DeSousa said the government had based the policy change on “a hunch”.

“Imagine making a business decision knowing it would piss everyone off, make people less productive and cost you more money. That is exactly what the federal government has done,” she said.

“Evidence was casually tossed aside in favour of an arbitrary mandate that, according to internal documents, lacks any clear alignment with workplace trends in other industries or governments. Even more damning, the government admitted to ‘ongoing concerns about the quality of data used’. But that didn’t stop it from steamrolling ahead.”

Further evidence presented by PSAC is statistics showing that at the height of the pandemic hybrid work, and public service productivity increased while the private sector went backwards. A survey commissioned by the union found most Canadians think hybrid work is good for both workers and their organisations.

PSAC has campaigned against this change since it was announced in May and intends to challenge the policy in court.

DeSousa said the government was wasting public money and talent to score cheap political points.

“Canadians spend 8.5 hours per week commuting, which is 17 days a year. Imagine if that time could be spent with our families and in our communities,” she said. “The public service is not a political playground … We need policies that are rooted in evidence, not political expediency.

“It’s time for the government to live up to its promises of evidence-based decision-making and collaboration. Anything less is a disservice to Canadians who rely on efficient, effective programs and services.”

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