The Ontario Public Service and staff across provincial agencies, boards and commissions have begun a full‑time return to office, following a government mandate that came into force on Jan. 5, 2026. The return to a full‑time office model follows a phased transition that began Oct. 20, 2025, when employees attending at least three days a week were asked to increase their in‑office presence to four days a week.
In an official statement at the time of the announcement, President of the Treasury Board, Caroline Mulroney, said in‑office attendance “represents the current workforce landscape in the province” and would reinforce the government’s commitment to “reflecting the people and businesses we serve across Ontario.”
The directive marks a significant shift from the more flexible arrangements that had been in place since the COVID‑19 pandemic. Many OPS employees previously worked remotely or in hybrid models for parts of the week, arrangements that became commonplace across the public sector and many private workplaces.
Why the Ontario government pushed for a five-day office mandate
The government’s announcement did not include public data outlining how the return‑to‑office decision was reached or what specific metrics would be used to measure its success. While some private-sector employers have moved toward hybrid or flexible work patterns in recent years, the OPS mandate reflects a broader policy choice in Ontario’s public sector.
The mandate affects more than just government employees on a salary. Contractors, facilities staff and other on-site roles tied to OPS workplaces are also expected to resume full-time, in-person work. These ripple effects extend beyond the core OPS workforce, touching a broader community of workers who support or operate alongside the public service.
Observers note that the mandate’s timing, coming after three years of hybrid arrangements, adds to the sense of disruption. For many public servants, remote or blended models offered flexibility that supported caregiving, long commutes, accessibility needs and overall wellbeing. For others, hybrid work meant opportunities to focus on deep work without the interruptions and travel demands of five‑day‑a‑week office attendance.
Reddit reveals first-week experiences of full-time office work
A thread on Reddit’s r/OntarioPublicService subreddit capturing reactions from public servants in their first week of full‑time return to office paints a picture of mixed sentiment and adjustment challenges. One commenter wrote: “I think my favourite part is when management is like, ‘tHiS iS gOiNg To Be rEaLlY gOoD fOr Us,’ while everyone is walking around half asleep and fighting for their life.”
Another user described adapting to the new routine as a struggle, writing: “Waking up at 6 and coming back home at 6:30 because of traffic can’t possibly be good for my health.”
One commenter said adapting to a full‑week office environment has been more challenging than anticipated: “Mental health at an all-time low. Anxiety and fatigue at an all-time high.”
These perspectives underscore the human element of policy implementation; how ordinary work routines intersect with personal wellbeing and daily responsibilities.
Unions representing public-service workers expressed concern when the full‑time return was first announced, saying that decisions about workplace models should involve more consultation with employees and bargaining agents. In some union statements, representatives described hybrid work as having provided measurable benefits for productivity and wellbeing and urged continued dialogue on flexibility.
Some reports suggest that not all facilities have sufficient space to accommodate all returning staff without adjustments such as desk sharing, although the province has said it reviewed office space and believes most sites can support the return.
What Ontario’s RTO policy means for the future of work
The full‑time return also carries implications for public policy and the economy. Supporters of in‑person work point to potential boosts to local business districts, public transit ridership and community vibrancy as workers return to downtown cores. Critics counter that rigid attendance requirements risk undermining recruitment and retention of talent, particularly in a labour market where flexible work options have become an expectation for many.
Other workers remain pragmatic, noting that meetings continue over virtual platforms even when staff are in the office, or describing small but noticeable changes in workplace culture as everyone adjusts back to physical presence.
The province’s approach illustrates the complexities large public organizations face in redefining work norms after years of hybrid arrangements. How employees, leaders and the broader labour market respond in the weeks and months ahead will shape the narrative around RTO in Ontario’s public service and beyond.
