More government officials support new federal re-entry policy than oppose it: poll

A new Angus Reid Institute poll shows that more public sector union members – 47 to 41 percent – support the federal plan to return to the office three days a week in September.

Overall, the survey results indicate that the vast majority of Canadians – three in five – support the new hybrid work policy. Breaking down the numbers further, the poll found that among working Canadians, 54 per cent supported the federal plan, 32 per cent opposed, and among union members, support was 52 per cent.

Retired Canadians were most likely to support office work, with 79 per cent of 445 retirees favoring it.

In early May, the federal government confirmed plans to require public sector employees to work in person three days a week and executives four days a week no later than September 9.

Reid’s study surveyed 1,751 Canadians, including full-time and part-time workers, retired workers, unionized people, nonunion workers and people in public sector unions.

Taking age into account, most Canadians of all ages surveyed support the policy with one exception: younger women. Of respondents aged 18-34, 47 percent said they opposed return-to-work orders. Men aged 55 and older were most likely to support the policy, with 79 percent favoring it.

The basis for support for the return policy is the belief that three-quarters of respondents believe that federal workers have better working conditions than others. This sentiment holds across all voting bases, with at least seven in 10 CPC, Liberal, NDP and Bloc voters agreeing that federal workers have favorable working conditions.

The Public Services Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the largest union in Canada’s public sector, has promised a “summer of discontent” in response to the new changes. PSAC president Chris Aylward said PSAC will file complaints and legal challenges regarding labor law.

Attitudes towards this policy changed somewhat in the event of prolonged labor confrontation. Some 45 percent of public sector union members believe the changes should be reversed to avoid union dissatisfaction and potential disruption to services, while 36 percent believe the government should stay the course.

Before announcing the mandatory return, Ontario Premier Doud Ford urged federal workers to return to offices to stimulate the local economy.

An additional poll of 156 working-age Ottawa residents found 57 per cent opposed the new mandate and 33 per cent supported it.

A total of 81 per cent of Ottawa respondents agreed or strongly agreed that revitalizing downtown Ottawa was not the responsibility of federal employees.

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