The Ontario Public Service (OPS) Employer’s rush to return tens of thousands of public service professionals back to the workplace four days a week has caused chaos and confusion.
The OPS Employer’s four-days in-office edict takes effect on October 20, 2025. With just weeks to go, AMAPCEO is receiving reports of inadequate and under-resourced office spaces, a lack of clarity on who should report to work and when, and inconsistencies throughout the public service.
AMAPCEO continues to advocate for remote and hybrid work directly with the Secretary of Cabinet, at the AMAPCEO–Central Employee Relations Committee table and at Ministry-specific tables, and with senior management on the Employer side.
Be sure to show your AMAPCEO pride in the workplace and send the employer a message by displaying your Remote Work Works! campaign materials in the workplace.
Learn more about our Remote Work Works! campaign, download materials, and more.
Read more about how to request an alternative work arrangement, including for remote work, and what to do if your request is denied.
Frequently asked questions
I don’t know which days I’m expected in the office starting October 20. What do I do?
- Email your manager and ask if you are expected to return to the office four days a week starting October 20, and if so, which days.
- If you have a signed, formal, alternative work arrangement, follow the schedule outlined in your agreement.
I haven’t been able to arrange child care for when I’m back in the office four days a week. What should I do?
- If you need short-term, time-limited flexibility for family care needs, talk with your manager. They have the discretion to grant short-term flexible work arrangements while you get other arrangements in place.
- If you need longer-term consideration for family care needs, consider applying for an alternative work arrangement or a family status accommodation.
- Please see our fact sheet for OPS members on alternative work arrangements and our fact sheet for OPS members on family status accommodations.
I want to work remotely one or more days per week. What should I do?
- Consider applying for a remote work alternative work arrangement.
- Please see our fact sheet for OPS members on alternative work arrangements.
I requested a remote work alternative work arrangement but haven’t heard back. What do I do if I haven't received approval by October 20?
- If you submitted your remote work request and haven’t heard back, follow up with your manager or director a few weeks after you submitted your request and ask for a response by a certain date, after which you will consider your request denied. Contact an AMAPCEO Workplace Representative if you do not receive a decision by that date. Please see our fact sheet for OPS members on alternative work arrangements for more on this issue.
- Ask your manager if you are expected to follow the four-day in-office policy as of October 20 or if you can have an ad-hoc arrangement while waiting on the employer’s response.
I need to work remotely or hybrid due to a medical reason.
- If you have a medical reason why you should be working remote or in a hybrid manner, consider requesting a workplace accommodation.
- Please see our fact sheet for OPS members on workplace accommodations.
I am displeased with the OPS Employer’s decision and want to advocate for remote and hybrid work.
- Join your colleagues and display AMAPCEO’s Remote Work Works! campaign materials in your workplace.
- Visit the Remote Work Works! campaign page for more information.