But ‘flexible work arrangements’ such as earned days off and modified work weeks will continue, says spokesperson
The Nova Scotia government has ordered thousands of unionised civil servants currently working remotely to return to their offices or work sites full‑time by April 20, ending most flexible remote work arrangements for that group.
In a memo issued Friday and reported by CBC News, the province said that, effective 20 April, all unionised employees with existing work‑from‑home agreements are expected to be back in the office.
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) says the change will affect more than 2,500 employees. CBC reports there are roughly 13,000 civil servants in total, meaning fewer than a quarter are covered by the new rules.
The provincial government previously called back to the office non-unionised workers.
Government rationale and implementation timeline
The recent internal memo to staff in the Department of Opportunities and Social Development stated that “this change reflects our continued focus on collaboration, service excellence, and strong connections across teams, while supporting consistency across the civil service,” according to CBC.
A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission told CBC that the decision does not eliminate all forms of flexibility, saying that “flexible work arrangements” such as earned days off and modified work weeks will continue.
The memo also noted that non‑union employees were already required to return to the office in the autumn of 2024, and that the two‑month period before April 20 is intended to give managers time to speak with employees who have “unique challenges” or who need to adjust to full‑time, in‑person work.
NSGEU opposition to the mandate
The NSGEU has sharply criticised the move. In a media release, the union said Premier Tim Houston “has decided to end flexible remote work arrangements for between 2,500 to 3,000 civil servants, effective April 20th,” adding that approximately half of those affected live in the metro Halifax area.
“Rather than looking at alternate workplaces as a cost‑savings measure, Premier Houston has decided to pass the buck onto these workers, while forcing more commuters onto our crowded roads,” NSGEU president Sandra Mullen said .
Mullen also linked the decision to the province’s worsening finances. CBC reports that Nova Scotia is facing a $1.4‑billion deficit and that Houston has indicated government will be looking for cuts. “We are concerned as to how does government see this as assisting with his improving the budget here in Nova Scotia,” she told CBC. “I see it costing government more.”
Impact on workers and commuting
The union says many members have had long‑standing flexible work agreements in place since early 2020 or before, and that “employees have shaped their lives around these agreements: moving to more affordable rural communities, modifying their childcare arrangements, and more.”
“It’s clear now that what he meant is that civil servants will be the first to feel this pain as they will now incur extra travel, parking and other expenses,” the NSGEU release states. “Parking and traffic in the downtown core is already at a crisis level and this will only increase that chaos for everyone.”
CBC reports that about half of the employees on remote work arrangements are believed to be in the Halifax region, and Mullen told the broadcaster she believes the mandate is aimed at getting more people back into downtown.
Questions over evidence and office capacity
The NSGEU also argues that the government has not provided data to support the change. “The government has offered no statistical evidence to suggest this will make for a more effective or efficient workplace,” it said, adding that it is “concerned that government offices do not have the space to accommodate all of these workers being forced back into the office.”
“Now, these workers are being given two months’ notice to adapt to the Premier’s whim,” Mullen said in the union’s statement, which further claimed the move “has all the markings of a Premier trying to look tough to his corporate friends while punishing workers and propping up commercial landlords.”
The federal government, Ontario and Alberta have also previously announced a full RTO for their workers.
