What happened
The federal government is ordering public servants back to the office at least four days a week, as reported by Talent Canada. Executives must be on-site five days a week from May 4. All other employees in core departments and agencies under Treasury Board must be in four days a week from July 6.
The current rule, in place since September 2024, is a minimum of three days a week, with executives at four. Other federal agencies, including the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, are strongly encouraged to follow. Public Services and Procurement Canada says it will work with departments on office space, and the government says it will engage unions on issues like assigned seating and health and safety.
Union leaders have pushed back hard. Several say they will resist the move, and one union says it is examining legal options. They point out that a recent labour board ruling found telework can be negotiated at the bargaining table, and that many bargaining units start new contract talks this year. More information is to follow "in due course."
Why it matters if you are hiring
The order covers a large employer, and it sends a signal. Some private employers will read it as cover to tighten their own attendance rules. Others will use flexibility as a selling point against a federal government that is asking for more days on-site.
Expect candidate expectations to shift. Public servants who dislike the change may start looking at private and provincial roles, especially in finance, HR, IT, policy and project work, where skills move easily across sectors. Ottawa-Gatineau employers are most likely to see this first. Candidates elsewhere will also compare your in-office terms to the new federal standard.
If you are considering raising your own office days, think about who it affects. Experienced people with options tend to react fastest. Changing conditions mid-year can cost you the people you most want to keep, and it makes every open requisition harder to fill.
One thing to do this week
Write down your on-site policy as you would state it to a candidate today: days per week, which roles are flexible, and whether it is likely to change in the next 12 months. Then check that your job postings and your recruiters say the same thing. Candidates will ask, and a clear answer is a real advantage.
Traverse helps Canadian employers reach experienced professionals in operations, finance, contract and other functions, including people considering a move out of the public sector.