About one in six Ontario government employees has formally requested to work from home following Premier Doug Ford's directive for a full-time return to the office. Ford has mandated that civil servants return to their desks five days a week starting January 5. In response, the Treasury Board Secretariat reported a significant influx of requests for remote work alternative arrangements (AWA), stating that it is unable to process them all.

As of November 19, approximately 10,913 remote work requests have been submitted. This represents about 18 percent of the 60,000 Ontario Public Service (OPS) employees. The Treasury Board Secretariat acknowledged the high volume of requests in an internal email, indicating that a careful review of each request will take time.

To address the situation, ministries are developing plans to review AWA requests. These plans aim to ensure consistency and fairness while considering individual circumstances and collective agreement requirements.

Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney's office emphasized the need to return to normal operations nearly four years after the COVID-19 health emergency. A spokesperson stated, "We are preparing to welcome employees back full time in the workplace five days a week in January, returning to the standard that was in place prior to the pandemic." The spokesperson also noted that this standard aligns with practices in other provinces and organizations across Canada.

Despite the government's push for a full return, unions have raised concerns about potential violations of collective bargaining rights. Dave Bulmer, president of the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO), expressed frustration during a recent meeting with government officials. He stated, "It was clear the OPS employer has no plan, no intention, and no motivation to review these requests for alternative work arrangements."

Bulmer mentioned that more than 6,500 of his 16,500 members have requested remote work arrangements, yet few have received responses. He warned that the situation could escalate, stating, "We’re exploring yet more legal options to ensure the OPS employer follows our collective agreement, respects members’ rights, and protects flexibility in the modern workplace."

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing about 40,000 provincial civil servants, is also in discussions with the government regarding the return-to-office directive. OPSEU has filed an application with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, arguing against the order due to its timing during a bargaining freeze period. The union is advising members to file individual grievances based on their specific circumstances.

During the pandemic, most public servants worked remotely at least part of each week for two years. In April 2022, a mandate was issued for employees to work from home only two days a week, but enforcement was lax after the health emergency ended. Last August, Ford reiterated the importance of in-office work, stating, "Half the public service is already at work five days a week — and I want to thank them."

In addition to labor disputes, logistical challenges remain for the government regarding office space. The Macdonald Block, where about 4,000 public servants worked, has been under renovation since 2018 and is significantly delayed, with costs likely exceeding $1.5 billion. An official noted, "Not only have they not told us where we are going back to, they have not told us when they are going to tell us."