Doug Ford Advocates Full-Time Office Return for Public Servants

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called on federal and municipal governments across Ontario to implement full-time office work for their employees. During a press conference in Inglewood, Ontario, on Wednesday, Ford praised the City of Ottawa’s recent decision to mandate that its staff return to the office five days a week starting in January 2025.

Ford emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration and mentorship, stating that working together in an office setting fosters greater productivity. He urged the federal government to adopt a similar approach and recommended that “all other regions across Ontario” do the same.

Earlier this month, Ford announced that thousands of Ontario civil servants would also be required to work in the office full time by January 2025. This push for a return to traditional office environments aligns with a broader trend among major corporations. Notable banks and companies, including RBC, the Bank of Montreal, and Rogers, have recently increased their expectations for employees to be present in the office more frequently.

Currently, federal public servants are required to work at least three days a week on-site, while executives must be in the office for four days per week. This shift reflects a growing momentum to reverse remote work policies that have become commonplace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As organizations navigate the balance between flexibility and the benefits of in-person engagement, Ford’s comments underline the ongoing debate surrounding work arrangements in both the public and private sectors. The return to full-time office work is seen by many as a vital step toward restoring traditional workplace dynamics and enhancing collaboration among teams.

This report by The Canadian Press highlights the evolving landscape of workplace policies as various levels of government and private enterprises respond to changing expectations regarding work environments.