Carney government to require public servants in office four days a week starting July

Prime Minister Mark Carney has directed federal public servants to work in person four days a week beginning July 6, with senior executives returning five days a week starting May 4. The Treasury Board sent the plan to department heads and said it will engage bargaining agents, while unions have criticised the move.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has directed federal public servants to work in person four days a week beginning July 6. The Treasury Board communicated the plan in a letter to department heads. The change raises the in-person expectation from the current three-day model. Senior executives are required to return to the office five days a week starting May 4. Key details: - The new requirement calls for four in-office days per week for most federal public servants starting July 6. - Senior executives are ordered to return five days a week beginning May 4. - The Treasury Board Secretariat sent the directive to department heads and described the move as a transformation of the public service. - The policy increases the previous three-day in-office model. - Mohammad Kamal, a spokesperson for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, said TBS will engage with bargaining agents and aims to ensure employees have tools and supports. - Sean O'Reilly, head of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, said he received no consultation and criticised the decision; unions have signalled they will oppose the change. Summary: The decision raises in-person expectations across the federal public service and has prompted immediate criticism from unions. Treasury Board says it will consult bargaining agents on implementation; further details and the outcomes of those consultations are undetermined at this time.