Two more federal public service unions are calling on a House of Commons committee to investigate the federal government's new return-to-office mandate. As of Sept. 9, federal employees in the core public service are required to be in the office a minimum of three days a week, while executives must be in the office four days a week.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are joining the Canadian Association of Public Employees (CAPE) in calling on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) to conduct a "thorough investigation." "PIPSC is alarmed by the government's approach to returning employees to the office," the union said in a statement. "The union emphasizes that many public servants have adapted to flexible work models that enhance productivity and support work-life balance, which are at risk with the mandatory 'one-size-fits-all' approach.
" PIPSC president Jennifer Carr says workers are "being forced to return to grossly inadequate offices without justification." "The lack of sound, evidence-based decision-making seriously impacts employees and wholly disregards the benefits of flexible working arrangements to all Canadians – from productivity gains to better equity, diversity, and inclusion, and opening up good public sector jobs across Canada," Carr said. "Modern, flexible work models enhance public service delivery.
" PSAC said in a news release it was also joini.