CAPE president says back to in-person work decision ‘disrespectful’

The Treasury Board's decision to stick with hybrid work means public servants will be back to in-person work two to three days a week starting early next year and will be fully implemented by the end of March.

Departments were able to make their own arrangements for a hybrid workplace model during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Treasury Board will now apply a consistent approach.

The reaction from public servants has been mixed, with unions raising concerns about communication and logistics.

“We were shocked,” said Greg Phillips, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE). “We had several meetings and no one mentioned that this announcement was coming.”

Phillips said the decision is “disrespectful' to public servants, with many of the feeling a lack of consultation as decisions were being made. 

“It would help to consult with us, find out what our concerns are and our thoughts on the matter,” he added. 

He said many members are concerned with going back to work, especially with hospitals dealing with cases of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“Our members do not see this as a time to be back in the workplace,” said Phillips. “Our employees are at home and producing well.”

Phillips stated that the decision seems purely political, as there has been no data showing a lack of productivity by working from home.

Treasury Board President Mona Fortier said that the government communicated the decision to unions and that employers have the right to decide the location of work.

“The want government employees to return to the downtown core and support local businesses,” he said. 

In a news release issued last week, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said getting clarity from the federal government on the future of its workforce is “critical” for the local economy.

Kevin McHale, the executive director of the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, said business owners are “cautiously optimistic.”

“There's just been a real air of uncertainty through the downtown,” McHale said in an interview.

He said foot traffic is “everything” for Sparks Street, which is a pedestrian-only street in the downtown core.

However, he said many are eager to find out what the federal government plans to do with its office spaces and whether it plans to downsize.

“The next question is, what's the occupancy going to look like in buildings in the downtown core?” he said. 

“The more information we have … the easier and better it is for our members.”

Listen to the full interview with Greg Phillips below:

With files from The Canadian Press.