Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy criticizes return-to-office order

Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy publicly called on the government to reconsider the new return-to-office mandate that requires most federal public servants to work four days a week from July, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada has filed labour-board complaints.

Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal MP for Carleton, has publicly criticized the federal government's latest return-to-office (RTO) mandate and called for reconsideration in a letter shared on social media. The government recently ordered most federal public servants to return to offices four days a week starting in July, with executives returning five days a week beginning in May. The change has drawn a response from public sector unions and prompted formal complaints. Key facts: - Bruce Fanjoy wrote that a one-size-fits-all RTO policy lacks clear evidence of improving productivity or service and asked the government to reconsider the approach. - The new directive sets a four-day workweek in office for most public servants from July, and five days for executives from May. - The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has filed five unfair labour practice complaints with the Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board in response to the decision. - Treasury Board said it will engage with unions on implementing the RTO plan and address matters including assigned seating and occupational health and safety. - CBC sought comment from Fanjoy's office and from Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali; no response was reported. Summary: This disagreement reflects ongoing tensions over remote-work rules in the federal public service since COVID-19. Next steps identified include PSAC’s complaints before the labour board and planned engagement between Treasury Board and unions to discuss implementation and workplace concerns.