What the Union Is Asking
The union, led by Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), wants a clear and official statement from Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. They request confirmation whether the rumours are accurate and insist the government must consult unions and workers before any new mandate.
They called the previous return‑to‑office rollout a “complete fiasco,” warning a sudden yet unannounced policy shift could disrupt lives and workplace trust.
Current Rules and Rumoured Changes
Under existing rules, most public servants need to be in‑office at least three days a week; executives require four. Rumours say the government now considers pushing the requirement to full‑time in‑office work. That change would significantly alter hybrid‑work arrangements many employees rely on.
Why the Union Is Concerned
The union argues that any shift to full in‑office mandates should follow exhaustive consultations and reflect workers’ realities. They worry that returning to five‑day weeks may harm work‑life balance, reduce morale and lower productivity.
Given previous difficulty enforcing hybrid‑work rules and inconsistent compliance across departments, union leaders stress that clear guidelines must precede any enforcement.
CAPE expects a response from the Treasury Board soon. Until then, rumours remain unconfirmed — and many public servants watch anxiously.
If authorities confirm the shift, formal consultations and negotiations with unions must follow before any return‑to‑office mandate takes effect.
