Ontario snowstorm shows need for hybrid work, unions say

Unions said a recent Ontario snowstorm showed that employees allowed to work from home kept public services running while some staff struggled with last-minute arrangements under the government's return-to-office mandate.

Ontario's recent snowstorm prompted unions to criticise Premier Doug Ford's Jan. 5 mandate for a full return to office. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said members who were permitted by managers to work from home continued to provide services safely after schools closed and road conditions were dangerous. The provincial Treasury Board Secretariat said managers can approve ad hoc, occasional or temporary remote work for extenuating circumstances, including inclement weather. Labour groups said the public service lacked a coordinated process for storm-related remote work decisions, leaving many staff to rely on local managers. Key facts: - The Jan. 5 directive for a full return to office was cited by unions as the policy being challenged by the storm; an earlier August announcement required OPS workers to return to in-office work five days per week. - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union represents roughly 40,000 provincial civil servants and said work completed from home proceeded "safely, efficiently, and without interruption to public services," according to Amanda Usher. - The Treasury Board Secretariat said managers may approve ad hoc or temporary remote work for reasons such as inclement weather and that no central OPS directive was issued because local managers have that discretion. - The Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO) represents about 16,500 administrative and related staff; its president, Dave Bulmer, said many employees scrambled because there was no advance, centralized guidance and some staff no longer have offsite email access. - OPSEU representatives, including Asher, said thousands of members provided essential programs and services while working from home and described remote work as a way to protect staff and maintain government operations. Summary: Unions framed the storm as evidence that hybrid and remote work arrangements allowed public services to continue during hazardous conditions while exposing gaps in the public service's coordination and communications. Undetermined at this time.