The Canadian federal government’s return-to-office (RTO) mandate is clearly a step in the wrong direction — just look south of the border for evidence.
By requiring public servants to work in the office at least three days a week — four for executives — the government risks repeating the same mistakes made in the U.S. A similar policy under president Joe Biden led to a mass exodus of experienced professionals.
Now, with Donald Trump announcing an even stricter full-time RTO mandate for U.S. federal employees, Canada should be moving in the opposite direction, not doubling down on outdated workplace policies that have already proven harmful.
A by Mark Ma at the University of Pittsburgh, using data from workforce analytics company Revelio Labs, provides a stark warning. After Biden’s administration introduced a hybrid RTO policy requiring most employees to return to the office 60 per cent of the time — a policy nearly identical to Canada’s — turnover among senior-level federal workers surged by 26 per cent.
These were directors, supervisors, and other seasoned professionals whose institutional knowledge is essential for government efficiency. Even more concerning, the study found that departures among highly skilled employees in fields like technology, science, and management increased by 32 per cent.
These are the very workers the government relies on to deliver effective public services, and they found better opportunities in the private sector, where flexible work is increasingly standard.
The question is not whether a return-to-office mandate is necessary but whether Canada can
The study used LinkedIn employment history data from federal employees to track career movements before and after the RTO announcement in March 2022.
By analyzing turnover rates across multiple federal agencies, researchers identified a clear pattern: senior and highly skilled employees, who previously had lower turnover rates than junior or less-skilled workers, started leaving in greater numbers after the RTO policy took effect.
The reason is clear — these professionals have more options elsewhere. While junior employees may have fewer alternative job opportunities, experienced workers with specialized expertise are in high demand in the private sector, where hybrid and remote work are widely accepted.
If Canada proceeds with its own strict RTO policy, it will likely face similar consequences, jeopardizing the effectiveness of federal institutions at a time when strong leadership and experience are needed most.
The Trudeau government’s RTO mandate, introduced in September 2023, has been met with strong resistance from public sector unions and policy experts, who argue it lacks both evidence and justification.
The rationale for the policy — revitalizing downtown cores — ignores the reality that forcing employees back to the office does not necessarily translate into economic recovery for urban centres.
Zero data showing working in the office improves performance
Unions have repeatedly warned that the policy demoralizes employees who have already demonstrated their ability to work productively from home.
The government has provided no compelling data to suggest in-office work improves performance, yet it is moving ahead with a mandate that threatens to weaken the very institutions it aims to strengthen.
Additionally, requiring employees to commute multiple days a week has environmental consequences, increasing carbon emissions at a time when the government should be leading on climate policy.
Rigid RTO policies do not reflect the modern workplace. Private-sector companies, recognizing the advantages of hybrid work, are using flexibility as a tool to attract and retain top talent.
If the federal government continues down this path, it will struggle to compete with employers who offer better work-life balance and greater autonomy. Public servants with specialized skills will have little incentive to stay in roles where they feel undervalued and micromanaged.
Instead of enforcing a one-size-fits-all RTO mandate, the government should adopt a more flexible approach that allows teams to determine what works best for them.
The solution to the current inefficiency is not to eliminate office days altogether but to
This would not only help retain experienced professionals but also ensure that public services remain effective and responsive to Canadians’ needs.
By ignoring the lessons from Biden’s policy and moving in the direction of Trump’s even more extreme stance, Ottawa risks weakening the very institutions it seeks to protect.
Canada has a chance to be a leader in modern work practices — but only if it learns from the mistakes of its southern neighbours.
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