Manitoba civil servants won't be ordered to office full-time like their Ontario, Alberta counterparts

The Manitoba government will not order public servants back into the office full-time, bucking recent moves by Ontario and Alberta.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew confirmed in an interview last month his government will continue allowing remote work for many public servants.

The current policy for full-time employees is at least three days in the workplace every week.

"I think it's a balancing act because again you have people with young kids and families," Kinew said.

Other provinces, however, are bringing more of their staff into the office, after the pandemic normalized remote work.

Last week, Ontario began ordering public servants back into the office five days per week, while Alberta will follow suit in February.

The federal government is expected to release updated return-to-office rules shortly. The level at which its public servants return to the office will depend on seniority, role and capacity, the prime minister has said.

Federal public servants are currently required to work a minimum of three days a week in-office, with executives in the office four days per week.

Back in Manitoba, Kinew's interest in maintaining hybrid work for eligible staff hasn't extended to managers. In early 2024, the premier questioned how civil service leaders could manage somebody who shows up in person if they aren't showing up in person themselves.

Since then, Kinew said his concern around hybrid work arrangements stems from discussions with nurses, doctors and allied health-care professionals.

"We've asked health-care management to go back in person, and that's been our focus so far," he said in a recent interview.

Kinew added his government would continue to assess how this arrangement is working.

The union representing many of Manitoba's civil servants is pleased the government is sticking with the status quo.

"It's reaffirming for our workers," said Kyle Ross, president of Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union.