Ottawa Councillor Moves to Reverse Full-Time Office Return for Staff

Photo: EDT

A city councillor in Ottawa wants to reverse the city’s plan to make all municipal workers return to the office full time. Jeff Leiper, councillor for Kichissippi Ward, announced he will bring a motion to the city council meeting on September 24. If approved, it would cancel the plan and allow employees to continue working from home if they wish.

Councillor’s Concerns
Leiper said many city staff have told him the new rule would lower the quality of life and work. “We’ll debate that in two weeks. I’ve heard from many City staff about the diminishment in the quality of both life and work the order will create, with too little benefit,” he said. He believes the city has not provided evidence that productivity or service has suffered under the current hybrid work model.

City Manager’s Decision
City Manager Wendy Stephanson announced in late August that starting January 1, 2026, all city employees must work in the office five days a week. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe supported the move, saying it will help “build a great culture in a great workplace.” Currently, about 2,400 to 2,500 municipal employees come to the office two to four days a week, with an average of 4.65 days per week.

Political Pressure from Ontario Government
The city’s decision comes shortly after Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged municipalities to bring public workers back to the office full time. Ford has also ordered provincial employees to return five days a week starting January. Additionally, he suggested the federal government should follow suit. Currently, federal employees must come to the office at least three days a week under a hybrid model, which is considered a balance between in-person work and flexibility.

Arguments for Hybrid Work
Leiper and other critics argue that forcing staff back to the office will increase costs for workers and lengthen commutes without clear benefits. “Evidence has not been provided that either productivity or the delivery of taxpayer value has been diminished under the current arrangement,” his motion states. They argue that hybrid work has been successful, with employees able to balance work and personal life while still completing their duties efficiently.

Potential Impact on Staff
Many employees enjoy hybrid work because it saves commuting time and reduces stress. Ending the arrangement may affect morale and overall happiness. Supporters of hybrid models say flexible work has become important for retaining skilled workers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic showed that remote work can be effective.

Looking Ahead
The city council will discuss Leiper’s motion on September 24. If passed, it could set a new approach for municipal work in Ottawa, keeping hybrid work options open. This decision may also influence other cities in Ontario as they consider balancing productivity, employee satisfaction, and public service delivery.

The debate in Ottawa highlights the ongoing challenge of managing public service work in a post-pandemic world. While leaders want strong office culture, employees and some councillors argue that flexibility should remain. How Ottawa resolves this issue may become an example for other municipalities across Canada, as governments seek to balance efficiency, costs, and worker well-being.