Montreal Mandates Three Days In-Office Work for White-Collar Employees
Montreal has implemented a revised telework policy for its municipal workforce. Starting on September 14, around 6,000 municipal employees will be required to work in the office at least three days a week. This policy follows a previous guideline where managers were already mandated to adhere to this three-day standard.
Impact on Employees and Union Response
The city announced this directive via email to employees. The intention behind the policy is to enhance team collaboration and cohesion. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada stated, “Three days a week is a good balance” and emphasized the importance of this arrangement for fostering collaboration and strategic thinking.
However, the decision has faced backlash from the workers’ union, the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal. Union president Éliane Scofield Lamarche expressed dissatisfaction with the sudden change, arguing that telework should have been a topic during ongoing negotiations to renew the collective agreement. She called for a dialogue to understand the rationale behind the new policy and highlighted the need for evidence regarding productivity impacts.
City’s Position and Chamber of Commerce Involvement
Mayor Martinez Ferrada reassured that the city maintains its rights regarding office presence, a stance historically upheld in municipal practices. The union further criticized the city for allegedly imposing these regulations under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. This chamber is advocating for increased in-office work to invigorate the downtown area.
According to a report from January, nearly 20% of downtown office spaces remain vacant, costing approximately $14.1 million weekly in losses for the local retail sector, restaurants, and cultural institutions. The chamber’s president, Isabelle Dessureault, defended the city’s approach by stating that collaborative work environments are crucial for regional prosperity and innovation.
Broader Trends in Office Work
This shift in Montreal aligns with wider trends across Canada. Since early 2026, public servants in Ontario are required to work five days a week in-office. In Quebec, public servants are also expected to meet the three-day requirement, while federal services will mandate four days in-person starting in July. Managers in federal roles will need to return full-time by May.
Furthermore, major corporations like Rogers, Amazon, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, and TD Bank have already initiated or announced similar in-office work requirements. The Public Service Alliance of Canada has filed a complaint against the federal government for allegedly undermining negotiations on telework.
Conclusion
Montreal’s new telework policy marks a significant shift for municipal employees. As the city navigates workforce challenges and economic pressures, the balance between flexibility and in-office presence remains a contentious issue.
