Treasury Board has announced updates to the Telework Directive effective April 1, 2025. Although PSAC and other unions were consulted, Treasury Board did not consider our key recommendations: rescinding the mandatory return to office and the “one-size-fits-all" approach; allowing each department to determine its own operational needs related to remote work; and creating a framework within the Telework Directive where evidence-based decisions consider the unique needs of each employee. 

While some changes could potentially expand access to remote work, others remove important considerations. These changes do not, however, replace the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace. 

Most notably, the directive removes previous commitments to work-life balance, inclusion, and environmental sustainability. These were key considerations in the 2020 version but are absent from the latest update. Here is a summary of some of the other changes: 

• Case-by-case assessment: While managers still evaluate telework requests individually, the directive no longer explicitly states that requests must be "approved or denied" case-by-case.  

• Relocation & workforce adjustments: A restriction that prevented remote work from being used to avoid or force relocations has been removed. This could provide more flexibility for employees facing workforce adjustments. 

• Cost responsibilities: Departments are responsible for covering necessary equipment costs, while workers pay for their own utilities, internet, and insurance. 

• Expanded coverage: Students, casual, and part-time workers are now explicitly included in the telework policy. 

• Extended pilot for remote workers: The pilot program allowing employees 125 km or more away from their designated worksite to be placed on travel status has been extended to March 31, 2027. 

What this means for you 

While changes expanding eligibility and potential relocation flexibility are welcome, the removal of work-life balance considerations is a step backwards. These changes also do nothing to address the arbitrary three-day return to office mandate, the core issue for tens of thousands of PSAC members. We will continue to fight for a flexible remote work policy that benefits workers and isn’t focused on presenteeism.  

Join PSAC’s Remote Works campaign to advocate for a future of work that puts people first and focuses on delivering the best services to families and business while saving taxpayers money.