Ottawa's federal public servants are facing a new front in the ongoing return-to-office battle, with two major unions reporting a sharp rise in refused accommodation requests — particularly for employees seeking to work remotely for medical reasons.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and other federal unions have raised the alarm, saying their members are being denied what they describe as reasonable requests for flexibility, and accusing the federal government of taking an unreasonably rigid stance on in-office attendance.
What the Unions Are Saying
Union representatives say the pattern has become increasingly clear: employees who once had approved arrangements to work from home — sometimes due to documented health conditions, disabilities, or caregiving responsibilities — are now finding those accommodations denied or not renewed.
The unions argue that accommodation is a legal obligation under the Canadian Human Rights Act, not a management discretion. When an employee has a legitimate medical need, they say, the employer is required to find a reasonable solution short of undue hardship. Simply pointing to a blanket return-to-office policy, they argue, doesn't cut it.
"These aren't people trying to avoid the office for convenience," one union spokesperson noted. "These are workers with real medical documentation who are being told no."
The Government's Position
The federal government has been pushing workers back to the office, with most departments now requiring employees to be on-site at least three days per week. Officials have framed the return-to-office mandate as essential for collaboration, productivity, and the vitality of downtown cores — including Ottawa's, which saw a significant economic hit when federal workers stayed home during the pandemic.
The Treasury Board has maintained that managers have the tools and discretion to handle accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis, and that the policy allows for exceptions where warranted.
A Growing Caseload
For unions, the proof is in the grievances piling up. Both PSAC and other bargaining agents say they're handling a growing caseload of accommodation disputes, with some cases heading to arbitration or human rights complaints.
For federal workers based in the National Capital Region, the stakes are high. Ottawa has one of the highest concentrations of federal public servants in the country, and many relied on remote work arrangements secured during — or even before — the pandemic.
Workers with commutes from Gatineau, Kanata, Barrhaven, or Orleans may also find the three-day requirement particularly burdensome, especially those managing chronic conditions or disabilities that make long commutes difficult.
What Happens Next
Unions say they will continue to push back through grievances, arbitration, and — where applicable — human rights complaints. They're also calling on the government to reopen dialogue about what a fair accommodation process looks like in a post-pandemic workplace.
For Ottawa's federal workforce, this dispute is unlikely to be resolved quickly. As more cases work their way through the system, the outcomes could set important precedents for how remote work accommodations are handled across the public service for years to come.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Read the original report at cbc.ca.
