Ottawa, June 12, 2023 – Today is the first day of National Public Service Week, a time meant to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees.” But recent data pulled from a survey of members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) shows that the majority of these employees are not feeling valued – particularly when it comes to Return To Office (RTO) policies. 

“Six months into the implementation of a one-size-fits-all return to office order, our members report that the policy has undermined their productivity, increased their cost of living, forced them to waste time in traffic – and it hasn’t improved collaboration,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. 

Seventy percent of survey respondents reported being dissatisfied with how RTO policies were implemented – citing issues like the commuting time and cost, work-life balance, and environmental impacts as top concerns. 

And contrary to the Treasury Board’s rationale behind the order, positive outcomes are hard to identify. Sixty-one percent of respondents said productivity has gotten worse, and most respondents said the impact on collaboration is at best neutral. 

Furthermore, 80% of meetings are still happening virtually. 

“Public service professionals have been ordered into an office to be part of a Zoom or Teams call they could have dialed into from home,” said Carr. “The proposed benefits of returning to the office are nowhere to be found.”

One key issue is that, in spite of having been issued a RTO directive, the majority of federal employees no longer have dedicated offices to return to – in fact, 65% of respondents are still sharing workstations. 

“At PIPSC we support the principle of “presence with purpose”: being at the office when justified by operational needs. We continue to advocate for what was promised: a hybrid-by-design approach that considers employees’ unique circumstances and job requirements,” said Carr. “It’s time for the government to work with us and develop a modern workplace that includes flexible work arrangements, properly equipped work spaces, and a high priority on health and safety.”

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public service professionals working for the federal government as well as some provincial departments and agencies. In May 2023, PIPSC conducted an online survey of more than 68,000 of its members working for Federal Departments or Agencies, to assess how the members feel after returning to the office. More than 17% responded to the survey.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, June 9, 2023 – On Monday June 12, to mark the National Public Service Week (NPSW), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will host a press conference at its national office in Ottawa.  

Sadly, even though NPSW should be a special moment in the year to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees,” PIPSC will present results from a survey of members showing that the majority of respondents employees are not feeling valued – particularly when it comes to return to office (RTO) policies. 

WHAT: Press Conference Marking National Public Service Week 2023 – Survey Results

WHEN: Monday, June 12, 2023, on 10:30 AM

WHERE: PIPSC National Office, 250 Tremblay Road, Ottawa (Ontario)  

WHO: Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram. 

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For more information, please contact: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Note: Zoom link available upon request.

Ottawa, February 20, 2023 – Federal employees began their mandatory return to the office on January 16 . Since then, more than 1,100 public servants represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service Canada (PIPSC) have reached out to their union looking for support as they navigate the challenges created by this “one-size fits all” government order.

The concerns raised by PIPSC members range from workplace safety, availability of office and basic equipment, network capacity, breach of work agreement, accommodation issues, before and after school child care availability, and more.

One major issue is that, in spite of having been issued a return-to-office order, many federal employees no longer have dedicated offices to return to. 

“As we feared, we are now living with the logistical nightmares created by this hastily-implemented policy. Many departments and agencies were wholly unprepared for the practical realities involved in this government order,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. “As a result, some of our members are returning to buildings that are now doubling as construction sites. Others are having to bounce between various federal government co-working spaces, which often means staying up until midnight to secure a space close to home.”

These logistical problems are not only bad for morale, they are hindering federal employees’ abilities to keep the country’s most important institutions operating smoothly and productively. 

“The same people who built CERB from home are now wasting time every day setting up and taking down makeshift workstations in the cafeteria,” explained Carr. “Or they're trying to have crucial video meetings from buildings with unreliable Wi-Fi – often with team members on separate floors of the same building.” 

For workers who are parents, there is the additional challenge of suddenly needing before and after school care on a moment's notice – at a time when these types of programs are long-since booked solid. 

“Like all parents, I know the stress created by a last-minute childcare emergency,” added Carr. “Think of the panicked scrambling you have to do on a snow day – then imagine having to suddenly figure this out two to three days a week.”

It is time for the federal government to acknowledge that they made a mistake, sit down to consult with the people affected, and present a reasonable plan that works for employees while delivering the services Canadians rely on.

“We take no joy in having been right about what a mess this was going to be,” Carr concluded. “The good news is, it’s not too late to work together to build a better solution.” 

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public service professionals working for the federal government as well as some provincial departments and agencies. 

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) demands a halt to the Treasury Board’s plans to mandate employees back to the office.

On Thursday, the Treasury Board announced plans to roll out a one-size-fits-all approach to return federal public servants to their offices for 2-3 days per week starting in January. This news comes despite previous commitments to continue consulting with unions and implement tailored plans for each department, and despite the triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus filling up emergency rooms across the country.

“For over 2 years we’ve been saying that any return to office plan must have purpose, and prioritize employee productivity as well their health and safety. This plan has none of that: it’s poorly thought out, punitive and makes no sense whatsoever – and we’re not going to compromise on health and safety ” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr.

“Today’s announcement is the total opposite of what the Treasury Board has been promising: a hybrid-by-design approach that takes into account the unique circumstances of federal public servants. They have completely ignored the design part and have instead chosen to bulldoze through a bad plan that sets themselves up for an unnecessary fight.”

Thousands of PIPSC members have already started bargaining their next collective agreements with the Treasury Board, where telework is on the table. “This doesn’t set the stage for good faith negotiations with the employer. With the holidays around the corner, the timing of this announcement also adds insult to injury."

PIPSC has been following the issue closely and continuing to solicit feedback from members on any return to workplace plan.

“Our members have proven throughout the past two-and-a-half years that they can and will continue to be productive and engaged no matter where they work from,” said Carr. “Public service professionals have gone above and beyond to deliver quality services to Canadians. Is this how the government thanks them for their commitment and hard work?”

PIPSC is continuing to advocate for safe, flexible return to workplace policies for all members. Members that are required to return to the workplace and have concerns should visit our website for more information on the options available to them.

With the triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) filling emergency rooms and childrens’ hospitals throughout the country, PIPSC is reminding the Treasury Board to prioritize the health and safety of its workers. 

Last week, the Ottawa Citizen and Policy Options reported on plans to roll out a “one-size-fits-all” approach to return federal public servants to their offices. This news came despite current public health concerns and previous commitments to continue consulting with unions and implement tailored plans for each department.

As one of the Treasury Board’s largest bargaining agents, we were surprised to hear rumours that the Treasury Board was potentially bulldozing ahead with a one-size-fits-all plan for returning our members to their workplaces. The speculation was that a mandate of 2–3 days of in-office work would be required for all federal public service employees. 

The Treasury Board has since confirmed that no announcement is forthcoming. Nevertheless, it is concerning as it appears they were considering this approach and it is not clear what their longer term plans are. 

PIPSC has been following the issue closely and continues to solicit feedback from members on what they would like to see in a return to workplace plan. They have also emphasized that any policy that forces them to attend work in-person for a prescribed number of days should have a clear purpose. Many PIPSC members are also concerned about their health and safety and that adequate space is not there to accommodate a mass back to work order.

In addition to health and safety concerns, remote work has been identified by our membership as a key issue to negotiate in the current and upcoming rounds of bargaining. PIPSC has proposals in respect of this issue, and fully expects the Treasury Board and other employers to engage in collective bargaining on the issue. 

Our members have proven throughout the past two-and-a-half years that they can and will continue to be productive and engaged while working safely from home. PIPSC is continuing to advocate for safe, flexible return to workplace policies for all members. 

Members who are required to return to the workplace and who have concerns, should visit this webpage for more information. Members with workplace-specific concerns should connect with a steward and/or their workplace health and safety committee.

As a seventh wave of COVID with highly transmissible variants is confirmed by public health officials, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is calling on the Treasury Board to prioritize the health and safety of its workers.

Despite the increase in COVID cases and other indicators, many federal departments and agencies are continuing with return to workplace plans, with the bulk of them coming into effect immediately after Labour Day.

“Despite the seventh wave, return to workplace policies are still being rolled out,” said Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President. “We know our members are concerned about how their health and safety will be prioritized during this transition, and it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that it is.”

In June, PIPSC hosted three telephone town halls with members to discuss top issues, including a return to the workplace. During these town halls, many members expressed concerns about safety and a strong desire to continue working from home.

“Sixty percent of PIPSC members want to continue working remotely, and another 25% want to ensure their hybrid work arrangement is flexible. Our members have proven throughout the past two-and-a-half years that they can and will continue to be productive and engaged while working safely from home,” said Carr. “Given the state of the pandemic, we are urging the Treasury Board to prioritize their health and safety, and reconsider ongoing return to workplace plans.”

PIPSC is continuing to advocate for safe, flexible return to workplace policies for all members. Members that are required to return to the workplace and have concerns should visit our website for more information on the options available to them.