Interview Summary

The City of Ottawa is the latest employer to require staff to return to the office full-time in 2026.

For many employees, in both the private and public sectors, remote and hybrid work has been permitted for the past few years. Can employees refuse return-to-office requests? Will exemptions for medical or childcare accommodations be permitted?

Teilen Celentano, a Toronto employment lawyer and Associate at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, spoke with Patricia Boal on Newstalk 580 CFRA on the rights of employees and next steps.

Interview Notes

• Rights of employees: Celentano noted that requests to return to full-time work in the office have become common. “For non-unionized employees, your rules and rights will be determined by what’s in your employment contract,” Celentano explained.
• Post-COVID work arrangements: “If you’ve continued to work in a hybrid or fully remote schedule since COVID, work arrangement has likely become an implied term of your contract,” Celantano stated. “Your employer is not allowed to implement unilateral changes.”
• Resigning due to in-office mandate: Celentano explained that for unionized employees, speaking to their union representative is advised. “If you’re non-unionized, the best thing to do is reach out to an employment lawyer who can look at the terms of your employment contract.”
• Accommodations exempting employees: “Accommodation would be based on a protected ground as defined by the Human Rights Code,” said Celentano. “If you are...

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