The Ontario government is requiring a full-time return to in-office work for public servants — 5 days a week — effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Before doing away with its hybrid model, the province reportedly plans to ramp up in-office work to 4 days a week on Oct. 20.
The update comes as major employers — including 4 of Canada’s big banks — want staff in the office most, if not all, of the time.
The Ontario government can’t require non-unionized employees to return to the office if they’ve been working remotely for an extended period of time and that arrangement has become permanent.
This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in the province.
If remote work has become a consistent and accepted part of your job, a demand to return to the office may be considered a constructive dismissal — a significant change to your employment that could entitle you to full severance (up to 24 months’ pay).
In the event that the provincial government is attempting to alter the current amount of time you have to work from the office, if at all, contact an experienced employment lawyer in Toronto at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
Our team can determine if they’re legally able to do so, or if it violates your employment rights.
Since 2007, we’ve helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals in Ontario resolve...
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