Limited Options for Employees Forced to Return to the Office: Jon Pinkus with the Financial Post

Interview Summary

Despite expressed desire from many employees to continue working in a hybrid or remote work model, many employers across Canada have mandated a return to the office. While the major banks have begun to push away from remote work, the Ontario government is the latest to implement its mandate, which is set to take effect in 2026.

Jon Pinkus, a Toronto employment lawyer and Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, spoke with Gary Marr at the Financial Post to discuss the implications of a return to the office for employees.

Interview Notes

• Terms outlined in a contract: Pinkus noted that employees should review the terms of their employment contract, but has not yet seen an uptick in clients returning to the office. “I haven’t been deluged with clients,” Pinkus said. “It might change as these things come into effect.”
• Options for employees: Pinkus explained that for employees in particular industries, it might be difficult to find future employment. “In the case of specific industries such as the oligopolies that are the banks, movement is inhibited because you can’t find a job in the same industry and that limits pushback,” Pinkus stated.

Related Resources

For further insights and discussions related to employee rights, explore the following resource:

• Ford Motor Company pushes for a return to office