Published on February 28, 2025

Remote Work Compliance Crisis in Canada's Federal Government

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Henry Russell

@henryrussell

TL;DR intro

Large numbers of workers in Canada's leading government departments are dodging official remote work guidelines.
Compliance rates vary significantly across departments, with some lagging far behind.
The push for in-office work is causing waves across Canada's beefy federal workforce.

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When it comes to remote work rules, it seems not everyone on Canada's public payroll is playing by the book. A hefty chunk of workers in the country’s most substantial federal departments are, shall we say, creatively interpreting the government's remote work commands. The mandate, rolled out with gusto in September last year, demanded public servants hit their desks at least three times a week. Looks like some folks took it as a suggestion rather than a directive.

The Compliance Conundrum

The Department of National Defence (DND), boasting a workforce of roughly 28,700 strong, takes the trophy for the most colorful compliance record. Figures show that as of January, only 60% of personnel nationwide were reporting for duty thrice a week — this number plummeted to a mere 31% back in December. The compliance rate in the country's capital, Ottawa, added to the intrigue with half-hearted adherence at just 57% in November.

In contrast, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), with its massive 59,000-employee stronghold, reported a more respectable 80% compliance in December, a slight uptick from prior months.

Over at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), approximately 75% of its 39,000 workers have obediently nodded to the rules since fall.

Smaller Schools, Different Challenges

Meanwhile, smaller federal bodies paint a more optimistic picture. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hit a notable compliance high of 93% in January. In contrast, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with about 6,800 workers, is catching up at 73% — but it's worth noting that front-line staff have been onsite since day one of the pandemic.

Compliance monitoring heads back to managers in the trenches, ensuring their teams are toeing the hybrid model line. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) backs up heavy-handed measures for non-compliance— think verbal warnings all the way to firing for repeat offenders.

Still, The Public Service Alliance of Canada claims no action's been taken yet against its members for staying cozy at home.

So what's next for Canada’s 367,772-strong federal workforce? The balancing act between flexibility, accountability, and productivity in the remote era continues to be a hot debate. As hybrid work solidifies its turf across the professional world, maintaining clear guidelines with a pinch of understanding might just be the secret sauce for getting Canadian public servants into the office on a regular basis.

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