Canadian companies with hybrid work models

The hybrid work option is proving popular among the Canadian labour force. A rare occurrence before the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrangement is quickly gaining traction as a middle-ground between employees who want more flexibility and employers who want to pull staff back the workplace.

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In a recent survey by Cisco Systems, more than half of workers wanted to stick to a hybrid method permanently, while 35 per cent want to work strictly from home. A low 10 per cent prefer a full return to the workplace.

Companies pursuing hybrid work models

• Apple: The tech giant abandoned its plan to gradually bring employees back to the office three days a week in spring 2022. While Apple claims the decision was made in response to a COVID surge, it is likely due to internal protests by disgruntled employees who wished to remain remote.
• Tesla: CEO Elon Musk demanded in early June that all Tesla workers return to the office from remote and hybrid arrangements, or they would be looking for new employment.
• Intuit: The California-based tax software company eyed a two- or three-day in-office policy. The employer shifted to allow its 11,500 employees to figure out the best option within their respective teams.
• OpenText: The Canadian software company based in Waterloo, Ontario has permanently adopted a hybrid work model. It closed 50 per cent of its offices and is allowing its 15,000 employees to fluctuate between home and the workplace.
• TD Bank: The TD Corporate and Investment Banking divisions (part of TD Securities) has put in place a hybrid model of three days in the office and two days working remotely from home. The bank said their priority is keeping employees happy, especially since they had a higher than normal turnover rate during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Scotiabank: Employees must now work out of the office a few days each week. The exact number is determined by each department
• RBC: Like Scotiabank, RBC now requires employees to work from the office a some days of the workweek, with details being decided by individual managers.

Questions about hybrid work?

Do you have questions about the hybrid work arrangement your employer is imposing? Have unwanted changes been made to your job upon you return from remote work? Talk to an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP today to discover your options.