Update on hybrid work and Ottawa City Council’s motion on a return to office mandate

Last month, Ottawa’s City Manager issued a memo calling for employees to return to the office five days a week starting in January 2026, leading to unnecessary stress, chaos and confusion for CIPP members. 

From the beginning, we made our opposition to this proposed change extremely clear to the employer. We filed a policy grievance alleging that the employer’s failure to consult with the union contravenes Article 40 of our collective agreement. And Executive Director Peter Bleyer spoke to several media outlets to further voice our concerns.  

We were contacted by hundreds of concerned members. And we collected their feedback regarding the impact the implementation of a return to office mandate would have on their professional and personal lives. 

More than half of CIPP members have a hybrid work arrangement. Over the last five years, CIPP members have proven their ability to deliver high-quality public services working hybrid. Maintaining hybrid work was identified as a top priority in our 2025 bargaining survey. CIPP members who work hybrid feel strongly about it because they know it has made them more productive. Hybrid works for them, and it works for the city.

Yesterday, City Council met to discuss a motion regarding the return to office mandate. CIPP members, along with representatives from other unions, rallied outside of Ottawa City Hall ahead of the meeting to voice their concerns. 

Executive Director Peter Bleyer wrote a letter to Councilors to draw attention to the value of hybrid work and CIPP members’ collective agreement rights. In the letter, he urged councilors to “call on Mayor Sutcliffe not to play politics with city services and the people who deliver them”.

In yesterday’s discussion, Councilors were quick to acknowledge the outstanding work of all City employees including those who have been working within a hybrid model. Councilors highlighted the many benefits of hybrid work including increased productivity, greater employee satisfaction, and improved work life balance. They also emphasized their interest in the City of Ottawa continuing to be a modern and competitive employer. Not surprisingly, they also overwhelmingly agreed that a one-size-fits-all, blanket return to five days in the office would be detrimental to both employees and residents.

In the end, the motion adopted by Council affirmed the right of City of Ottawa employees to continue to access flexible and hybrid work arrangements as well the importance of respect for collective agreements. After input from the City Manager, the amended motion passed by Council “requests that the City Manager encourage senior leadership and managers to maintain, wherever possible and within the policy framework, the current hybrid-working arrangements of employees as they stand today”.

Next week, CIPP will finally be meeting with City Manager Wendy Stephanson to discuss hybrid work. We are looking forward to a constructive meeting discussing Management’s plans to follow the guidance set out in Council’s motion and reinstate and extend hybrid work arrangements that were in place prior to the release of the memo on August 26, 2025. We will also reiterate that unreasonable denial of alternate work arrangements (AWA) constitutes a violation of our collective agreement and that we will take further action as required.

Yesterday’s council meeting was powerful evidence that engagement and advocacy work. CIPP members raised their voices, and they were heard. There is more work to be done on this issue and on many others as we head into collective bargaining, but your union’s ability to stand up for your rights is stronger today – thanks to your efforts.  

If in the coming weeks you are concerned about your request for an alternative work arrangement, please reach out to connect@cipp.on.ca for support. 

For more on this story visit the links below.

CBC Ottawa Morning.
CTV News – City of Ottawa to require staff in office 5-days a week, with flexibility for hybrid arrangements.
Ottawa Now – The good, the bad, and the ugly of the municipal return-to-work mandate.
CBC News Ottawa – Council stands by city manager on 5-day office policy.