Tag Archives: teletravail

What the federal government was hiding about their telework mandate

New Access to Information documents show that the federal government’s decision to impose a rigid three-day in-office mandate was not based on data or research on productivity, despite clear evidence that hybrid work boosts performance. The documents reveal the government ignored their own evidence and steamrolled ahead with a plan.

Internal documents show that telework is proven to enhance productivity and improve employee well-being — something PSAC and other unions have long argued. Statistics Canada data also confirms that as hybrid and remote work increased from 2019 to 2023, public service productivity saw a net positive impact. Yet, none of this evidence was factored into the mandate.

“This government once had a vision to build a modern, productive, and inclusive public service, but they’ve thrown it all away for no valid reason,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “They had the research and results supporting a more flexible approach, but decided that butts in seats is more important than productivity. Their failure to follow the evidence on hybrid work is mindboggling.”

In 2022, the government was fully committed to flexible work arrangements, with internal communications highlighting a goal for a “distributed, flexible, talented, inclusive, productive workforce and welcoming workplace.” Yet in a complete 180-degree turn, the new mandate was implemented without any supporting data.

The documents also revealed that the government anticipated strong opposition from both employees and unions, yet they moved forward with the least popular option anyways. Treasury Board officials knew the policy would cause workplace disruptions but gave bargaining agents just one hour’s notice, despite months of planning.

PSAC is calling on the federal government to scrap the mandate, rethink its approach, and follow the evidence, which shows that hybrid work leads to higher productivity, better work-life balance, and healthier workplace cultures. The current mandate not only threatens productivity but undermines the values of fairness and collaboration the government claims to support.

“If the government really wants to be a leader in the future of work, it’s time for them to start making evidence-based decisions that benefit both workers and the Canadian population,” added DeSousa. “Arbitrary mandates and ignoring the data will only set us back.”

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Federal in-office mandate takes effect, workers hold their ground

telework-group

As the federal government’s new three-day in-office mandate officially took effect on Monday, thousands of union members took to the street in protest, determined to defend telework and the future of work in Canada.

PSAC members united with members from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), and the Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO) at nationwide protests to contest the government’s policy and fight for a fair approach to telework that puts workers first.

Telework has become more than just a temporary solution, it’s a proven model that enhances productivity and the well-being of workers. It helps workers balance their personal lives with their jobs, reduces our carbon footprint, and creates a more inclusive public service.

“Telework isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work and the next frontier of workers’ rights,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “We’ve seen firsthand how telework improves peoples’ lives and makes our public service more inclusive and responsive to the needs of Canadians. That’s why we’re committed to fighting for a future that puts workers first.”

It’s clear that PSAC members have serious concerns about this new mandate:

  • Over 20,000 registered for our virtual telework town halls;
  • More than 40,000 signed our petition in its first week;
  • And 65,000+ filled out our telework survey.

Our members are engaged, fired up, and ready to take this fight to the next level.

In the coming weeks, we’re kicking off a national telework campaign in partnership with PIPSC, CAPE, and ACFO. Fueled by a $1 million investment —a clear demand from members at our national convention — the campaign will drive the fight for fair, flexible, and future-focused telework policies that truly work for workers.

We know that #RemoteWorks. Together, let’s make sure the government knows we won’t back down.

Take action now:

  • Sign the petition: Demand the repeal of the three-day in-office mandate.
  • Take our survey: Share how the mandate impacts your work and life.
  • File a grievance: Hold the government accountable for violating the telework agreement.
  • Read our FAQs: Get answers to your most pressing questions about telework and the government’s mandate.
  • Use our digital tools: Show solidarity with virtual backgrounds, social media images, and #RemoteWorks posters.
  • Spread the word: Start a conversation on social media and encourage coworkers to take action, too.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Fighting for telework: Important resources

Every worker’s job and situation are unique, and a cookie cutter approach to telework can’t be applied to Canada’s diverse public service. Overwhelming evidence proves that telework improves work-life balance and increases productivity for workers.

The government’s misguided decision to mandate federal public service workers into the office at least three days per week blatantly disregards their well-being and violates their collective bargaining rights.

This decision was made without any consultation with unions or workers, and flies in the face of the telework agreement PSAC negotiated in the last round of bargaining.

It’s time to fight back

PSAC has prepared a number of resources to help workers fight for telework. We’ve collected some of these resources below: Grievance wording, virtual backgrounds, useful information, etc. Take a look!

On this page:

When to file a grievance
Proposed grievance wording
Telework petition
Fight for telework questionnaire
Telework visual assets

Also see the PSAC telework FAQ

When to file a grievance

As part of our coordinated legal response, we are encouraging all affected members to put in grievances against the unilateral amendment of the Direction. Grievances should be filed for the following issues:

  • Where the amended Direction results in a member being arbitrarily required to work more days in the office;
  • Where a member has had an existing telework agreement disregarded or altered because of the Direction;
  • Where a member experiences additional adverse impacts because of their membership in a human rights-protected group;
  • Or, where a member has experienced losses or out-of-pocket costs because of the Direction.

However, you should always go through your union when submitting a grievance. Contact your Branch President for assistance. Branch Presidents should contact the CIU Labour Relations Officer assigned to their Branch for further guidance.

Proposed grievance wording

While grievances should be individualized to reflect the specific circumstances and concerns of individual members, the following template grievance language can be customized to address most cases:

This is an individual grievance hereby filed pursuant to Section 208 of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act.

Details of the grievance:

I grieve the Employer’s conduct in amending the Direction on Prescribed Presence in the Workplace (the “Direction”) in violation of the collective agreement by:

  • Amending and implementing the Direction in a manner which is unreasonable, arbitrary, and inconsistent with the principles for flexible working arrangements, in violation of the provisions of the applicable Collective Agreement, including but not limited to Article 6 of Collective Agreement, the Letter of Agreement on Telework, the Directive on Telework, as well as any other applicable provisions of the Collective Agreement, employer policies, or legislation;
  • Amending and implementing the Direction in a discriminatory manner that has breached the employer’s duty to accommodate and has reduced accessibility, inclusiveness and equity in violation of my rights  protected by the Canadian Human Rights Act (“CHRA”) and [Article 19 of the Program and Administrative Services (PA), Operational Services (SV), Technical Services (TC), and Border Services (FB) agreements or Article 16 of the Education and Library Science (EB) agreement]; and
  • Amending and implementing the Direction in a manner which unreasonably and inappropriately departs from my existing telework/remote work arrangements and has caused me prejudice and hardship.

Corrective action requested: Make sure the grievance includes an appropriate request for corrective action, tailored to individual circumstances. Request for corrective action should include what remedies are sought based on specific circumstances, along with a demand to be made whole and a request for any other redress deemed appropriate. For example:

  • That the Employer allow for telework agreements consistent with the principles of flexible working arrangements and the provisions of the applicable Collective Agreement;
  • That I be compensated for all losses, including lost wages and benefits, that resulted from the Employer’s conduct in amending the Direction;
  • That the filing of this grievance not prejudice me in any future dealings with the Employer;
  • That I be made whole;
  • Any other redress deemed appropriate.

You should always go through your union when submitting a grievance. Contact your Branch President for assistance. Branch Presidents should contact the CIU Labour Relations Officer assigned to their Branch for further guidance.

Click here for more information on grievances

Petition to repeal the three-day in-office mandate 

Sign the petition to demand the government repeal the three-day in-office mandate and move to the promised case-by-case framework for telework, rather than the one-size-fits-none model they have committed to. We also want them to enshrine this policy into our collective agreements during the next round of bargaining.

Click here to sign the petition

Fight for telework questionnaire

As we move beyond September 9, how likely are you to stay involved in our fight for telework? Complete the brief questionnaire below to let us know.

Click here to complete the questionnaire

Telework visual assets

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Social Media

Virtual Background

The original version of this content was first published on the PSAC website:

PSAC scores legal victory in fight to reverse federal telework mandate

The Federal Court will hold a full hearing to review PSAC’s application to quash the federal government’s decision to force federal public service workers back into ill-equipped offices three days a week beginning September 9.

This is an important victory for workers and unions who have been pushing back against the government’s unilateral decision announced in May that has had sweeping impacts on federal workers and led to mass protests, legal challenges and a wave of individual grievances.

“The Federal Court’s decision to hear our case is an important win for federal workers fighting for a fair and transparent approach to telework,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “Remote work is the future of work, and we won’t let the government off the hook for breaking their commitments and ignoring the voices of federal public service workers.” 

The government attempted to have the case thrown out or delayed by the Court until existing legal challenges – including several policy grievances and unfair labour practice complaints disputing the mandate – are heard by a federal board.

But the Federal Court judge ruled that Treasury Board failed to deliver the “knock-out punch” to the grounds for PSAC’s application to warrant dismissal.

The hearing will be a major step for unions and workers looking for transparency around its decision to bring workers back into the office three days a week, as the government will now need to make their case and present their reasoning for making the decision to bring workers back to the office.

Although this does not mean that the Federal Court endorses PSAC’s position, it will allow us to fully argue our case in court. This is part of PSAC’s broader effort to demonstrate that telework is the way of the future and hold the government accountable for its misguided mandate.

What members can do

This is just one of several ways PSAC is continuing the fight for fair telework. Members can take action by:

  • Getting involved with your local.

This fall, PSAC will be launching a national joint telework campaign alongside other unions. But to win this fight, we will need the support of members from coast to coast to coast organizing and making noise in their workplaces. Together, we will show the government, decision-makers and the public that #RemoteWorks.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC: Sign our petition to help defend telework and modernize our workplaces.

telework télétravaille

The federal government wants to force employees to work in ill-equipped offices three days per week only to spend it on virtual meetings. But we know there’s a better way. The outlook for Canada’s public service is bright, and we’re ready to embrace a new future of work.

Are you ready to join us?

This isn’t just about where we work — it’s about our future, our well-being, and the kind of public service we want to build together.

Sign the petition

Public service workers have experienced firsthand the benefits of telework. It’s a proven model that enhances our work-life balance, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. Yet the Trudeau Liberal’s mandate threatens to undo all the progress we’ve made. So, we’re calling on you to take action.

Sign the petition to demand the government repeal the three-day in-office mandate and move to the promised case-by-case framework for telework, rather than the one-size-fits-none model they have committed to. We also want them to enshrine this policy into our collective agreements during the next round of bargaining.

We plan to organize an action to deliver this petition directly to government ministers and department leaders. If you’re ready to fight for telework and help shape the future of our workplace, let us know.

We’re not just signing a petition — we’re building a movement.

Sign the petition

If you’ve signed the petition and want to get involved in another way: 

  • Take a short survey: We want to hear about your personal experience with the in-office mandate and how you’re willing to fight back.
  • File a grievance: Collectively filing thousands of individual grievances will hold Treasury Board accountable for violating the agreement on telework PSAC negotiated in the last round of bargaining and pressure them to respect their obligations under the agreement.
  • Read our FAQs: We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions about telework and the government’s in-office mandate.
  • Share these actions: Start a dialogue on social media, encourage your coworkers to sign the petition or file a grievance, and continue making noise so the employer won’t be able to ignore us.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.