The following op-ed by Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President, was published in the Ottawa Citizen.

Imagine making a business decision based on a hunch. In fact, imagine making a business decision knowing it would piss everyone off, make people less productive and cost you more money. That is exactly what the federal government has done. New documents, obtained through an Access-to-Information request, paint a damning picture of a government more interested in political posturing than evidence-based decision-making.

Workers already know that remote work makes them more productive. And the documents obtained via ATIP reveal that the government was well aware of that. Statistics Canada data confirms that public service productivity saw a net positive impact as hybrid and remote work expanded between 2019 and 2023. Not only that, these documents also show that remote work improves the well-being of workers. Yet, in a move that defies logic, the government chose to ignore these facts.

The irony is glaring. While claiming to prioritize “fairness,” the government has imposed a one-size-fits-none mandate on the entire public service — despite acknowledging in its own research that this approach doesn’t work.

The government’s own research highlighted that hybrid work supports diversity and inclusion, reduces employee turnover, and provides significant environmental benefits. All of this evidence was casually tossed aside in favour of an arbitrary mandate that, according to internal documents, lacks any clear alignment with workplace trends in other industries or governments. Even more damning, the government admitted to “ongoing concerns about the quality of data used.” But that didn’t stop it from steamrolling ahead.

It also knew the arbitrary mandate would frustrate workers and cause disruptions, yet it unilaterally moved ahead anyway without meaningful engagement. It even leaked the decision to the media before informing the affected workers. One has to wonder: was this an attempt to score political points at the expense of hardworking public service workers?

This mandate also shows how little the Trudeau government cares about taxpayers. During a time where Canadians everywhere are struggling to make ends meet, the government has the opportunity to set a new standard of work that helps people across this country.

Imagine if remote work became the standard in Canada, not just in the federal public service. Canadians could save money, improve their work-life balance and take care of their mental health. It would also reduce the number of cars on the road, which is not only a time saver for many, but would have a beneficial environmental impact. Canadians spend 8.5 hours per week commuting, which is 17 days a year. Imagine if that time could be spent with our families and in our communities. The benefits truly abound.

We cannot stand idly by as ineffective policies erode the quality of our public services and the well-being of those who deliver them. It’s time for the government to align its policies with the realities of modern work. We need a commitment to flexibility that reflects operational needs, respects personal circumstances, and is rooted in solid, clear data.

We need policies that are rooted in evidence, not political expediency. We must continue to innovate and modernize the way we work. For the sake of every public service worker and the people we serve, let’s restore reason and evidence to government policies.

The public service is not a political playground. It’s the backbone of our nation’s governance and deserves policies based on wisdom, not whim. It’s time for the government to live up to its promises of evidence-based decision-making and collaboration. Anything less is a disservice to Canadians who rely on efficient, effective programs and services.

We all deserve better.