Many public servants in biggest federal departments breaking remote work rules
Compliance with Federal Government’s Three-Day Office Work Rule Varies Among Departments
A recent analysis of federal data has revealed that a significant number of public servants working in the government’s largest departments are not fully adhering to Ottawa’s three-days-per-week office work rule. The mandate, which came into effect in September, requires all employees under the Treasury Board to work on-site at least three days a week, with executives expected to be in the office four days a week.
The Department of National Defence (DND), the Canada Revenue Agency, and Employment and Social Development Canada were among the departments with the largest workforces that were assessed for compliance rates. DND, which employs approximately 28,700 individuals, reported the lowest rate of compliance with the three-day rule, particularly in the National Capital Region.
In January, DND’s average compliance rate with the three-day rule was 60%, dropping to just 31% in December. Nationally, the reported compliance rate for DND was 61% in November, increasing to 72% in both October and September.
However, employees in the National Capital Region appeared to be less likely to meet the requirement, with only 57% of DND staff in Ottawa meeting the three-day rule in November, compared to 69% elsewhere. In September and October, compliance rates in the capital region were 70%, while outside Ottawa, they were 76% and 77%, respectively.
Andrée-Anne Poulin, a spokesperson for DND, noted that the reported compliance rates do not include all types of leave, such as vacation, training, and sick days. She also mentioned that about half of DND employees have been working on-site full-time throughout the pandemic and beyond.
The Canada Revenue Agency reported an estimated 80% compliance rate among its 59,000 employees in December, up from 76% in November and 77% in October. Benoit Sabourin, a CRA spokesperson, stated that the agency’s transition to increased on-site presence has been successful, with most employees following a hybrid schedule.
Employment and Social Development Canada, which has a workforce of over 39,000 individuals, maintained an average compliance rate of around 75% with the three-day rule since September. Smaller departments and agencies reported varying levels of compliance as well.
It was noted that penalties for violating the in-office work rule could range from verbal reprimand to termination of employment, according to a document from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. However, individual circumstances and human rights obligations, such as the duty to accommodate, are taken into consideration before any disciplinary action is taken.
As of 2024, the federal public service employed a total of 367,772 individuals. While the Public Service Alliance of Canada has not reported any members facing suspension or layoffs for non-compliance with remote work rules, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat does not collect data on disciplinary measures.
