Your next steps to secure hybrid work

Last month Executive Director Peter Bleyer and the CIPP labour relations team met with City Manager Wendy Stephanson to discuss hybrid work. You can read the full details on that meeting here. 

Unfortunately, the direction from City leadership on hybrid work since then has not been clear. It also did not align with the motion passed by city council in September or our recommendations to the City Manager. This is disappointing and will only cause further unnecessary strain. 

City leadership… 

• Did not follow our suggestion to extend all existing AWAs through 2026. 
• Did not call for status quo on AWAs to be maintained wherever possible – as suggested by the council motion  
• Did not follow our recommendation to limit the need for additional meetings to get an AWA 
• And did not set clear expectations 

However, City leadership is also not calling to return to the office five days a week. 

Instead, they have restated the two days in office minimum (that they implemented without consultation in October 2023) and are asking for all AWAs for 2026 to be in place by the end of November.

Predictably, the implementation has been inconsistent across different departments and managers, which is unfair and frustrating.  

As per your collective agreement, you have the right to apply for hybrid work based on an individual assessment and for that application to not be unreasonably denied.

NEXT STEPS

If you have not done so already, you should apply for the hybrid work arrangement that you want.   

If your application is or already has been denied, ask your manager to specify what terms for hybrid work, if any, they will approve at this time.

To protect your ability to work hybrid in some form as of January 1, 2026, we encourage you to accept what your manager will approve.  

But to maintain your right and CIPP’s ability to challenge your manager’s decision to deny your preferred hybrid arrangement, you must indicate clearly to your manager that you object to their decision to deny your original application.  

To do this, send an email to your manager/supervisor including the phrase: “I object to the denial of my application for my preferred hybrid work arrangement” and add whatever details you feel are appropriate or required and copy your email to connect@cipp.on.ca. 

Email us at connect@cipp.on.ca if you require support, if you would like to share additional information or to indicate that you would like to pursue the grievance process.   

We are continuing to track and document hybrid work issues. Please add or update your information on our Hybrid Work Status Form.