The majority (91 per cent) of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s members are strongly opposed to the Treasury Board’s new hybrid work mandate, according to a recent survey by the PSAC.
In May, the Treasury Board announced its decision to require federal public service workers to be in-office a minimum of three days per week. The PSAC’s survey, which polled more than 65,000 members, found three-quarters (75 per cent) said they’re willing to take action to fight the new mandate and two-thirds (64 per cent) said they’re likely or very likely to file a grievance.
Read: Unions representing federal public service workers file legal challenges against hybrid work mandate
When asked which aspects of their lives would be negatively impacted by the return-to-office mandate, respondents cited increased expenses for parking, childcare, lunches and commuting (91 per cent), commute time and transportation (90 per cent), work-life balance (89 per cent), environmental impact (84 per cent), mental health (83 per cent) and caregiving responsibilities (73 per cent).
A separate survey conducted by the PSAC, which polled 2,000 Canadians, found 69 per cent of Canadians were in favour of employees having the flexibility of working from home full time or part time. The majority of respondents also said the federal government should lead by example and provide flexible work arrangements where possible.
The PSAC has filed a series of legal challenges against the Treasury Board and is encouraging members to file individual grievances to force the government to withdraw its hybrid mandate.
Read: 76% of Canadian employers mandating partial, full return to office: survey