Federal union lodges complaints about extended office hours

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is gearing up to file formal complaints against the federal government for mandating that public servants return to offices at least three days a week in September. The move is seen as a violation of collective agreements, according to PSAC.

The government’s directive, which applies to all public servants with few exceptions, requires them to be in the office three days a week starting on September 9. This represents an increase from the current rules, which vary by department and typically require workers to be in the office either two or three days a week.

PSAC and other unions are challenging this new policy, arguing that it undermines the agreements reached during negotiations last spring. The complaints allege that the Treasury Board did not bargain in good faith and is damaging the reputation of the union.

One public servant, Tanya King, who works for Public Services and Procurement Canada, has expressed concerns about the impact of the new policy on her request for full-time remote work. King, who is autistic and transgender, has experienced harassment and microaggressions in the office and fears that the change may jeopardize her request.

While Treasury Board President Anita Anand maintains that the government has the authority to implement the new policy, legal experts suggest that legal action could lead to more accommodations for workers or address issues such as workspace and parking availability.

The battle between the government and the unions over the return-to-office policy is likely to continue as both sides stand firm on their positions.