Employers Push for Full Return to Office Amid Changing Norms

The trend of returning to the office is gaining momentum as several major employers announce plans for more in-person work. By October 2023, Rogers will require employees to be present four days a week, transitioning to a full five-day workweek by February 2024. Similarly, major banks including BMO, RBC, TD, and Scotiabank will implement a four-day office requirement starting in the fall. The Ontario government has also mandated that all public sector employees return to the office for four days by October and five days starting in early January 2024.

During a recent statement, Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, emphasized the necessity of this shift. “Remote work developed during the pandemic in response to a public health emergency where people could not come to work. But it’s time to bring people back,” she remarked. She noted that over half of public service workers are already in their offices five days a week, including those in correctional facilities and various inspection roles, who have been unable to work remotely.

This push for in-office work is partly fueled by the belief that collaboration improves productivity and workplace culture. Mulroney highlighted that teamwork and idea-sharing are more effective when employees are physically present. “It provides for a better outcome; people get to work together in their teams,” she stated.

Yet, many employees argue that remote work increases their productivity by reducing distractions. Jessica Culo, co-owner and President of Specialized Recruiting Group in Edmonton, pointed out that most employers prefer full-time in-office work, but employee preferences vary significantly. “Less than 10% want to be in the office every day. About 25% demand fully remote work, while the majority find a hybrid model suitable,” Culo explained. She cautioned that enforcing a five-day office requirement may hinder recruitment efforts, especially for companies that have moved to exclusively remote work.

Mulroney also highlighted the importance of mentorship in the workplace, especially for new employees who may lack in-person guidance. “You can’t mentor people over the phone,” she said, emphasizing the benefits of direct interaction for professional development.

In addition to the Ontario government and major Canadian employers, several multinational corporations such as Amazon, Boeing, Dell, and UPS have adopted similar full-time office policies. The City of Brampton also announced that its workers will return to the office by January 2024.

Currently, federal workers in Canada are required to be in the office three days a week, although several unions are contesting this mandate. According to the City of Toronto, approximately 70% of its 43,000 employees work in-person five days a week, while about 12,000 have opted for the city’s hybrid program.

As employers navigate the shift back to the office, the challenge remains to balance operational needs with employee preferences, a dynamic that will likely continue to evolve in the coming months.