The Ottawa city council has decided to uphold a controversial plan that mandates municipal employees to return to the office, rejecting a proposal seeking its reversal.
Despite this decision, city authorities have assured critics that the impact of the policy on current work setups will be minimal.
City manager Wendy Stephanson announced in late August that employees must resume working in the office five days a week starting in January, affecting only a small percentage of workers as the majority are already working on-site every day.
In response, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper put forward a motion to overturn the return-to-office directive and allow employees to work from home based on operational feasibility.
However, Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry preempted Leiper’s motion at the council meeting by introducing her own motion affirming support for Stephanson’s decision-making authority.
Curry emphasized Stephanson’s commitment to a flexible approach regarding the return-to-office strategy and reiterated that the city will continue to permit hybrid work arrangements as appropriate.
Stephanson reassured councillors that all requests for exceptions will be considered through personalized discussions, highlighting the importance of increased in-office presence for fostering a better work culture and collaboration.
Although some council members expressed dissatisfaction with the new policy, Curry’s motion was ultimately amended and approved in a 15-10 vote, with support from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and others who emphasized the balance between productivity and flexibility.
Unions representing municipal workers rallied against Stephanson’s policy, arguing that it undermines the benefits of hybrid work and restricts employees’ flexibility.
Peter Bleyer, executive director of the Civic Institute of Professional Personnel, criticized the policy as regressive and insisted that hybrid work is a proven and essential working model.
