Employment lawyer on remote work rights and PSAC

Interview Summary

Striking federal workers across the country have led to questions regarding remote work and flexibility in the workplace for all employees. Will the outcome of the PSAC strike influence the rights of private-sector employees?

Chantel Goldsmith, a Toronto employment lawyer and Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP spoke to Kelly Cutrara on 640 Toronto to answer this question and more on employee rights.

Interview Notes

• Letter addressed to Canadians: While negotiating, typically a collective bargaining agreement is not disclosed to the public and is kept fairly confidential. It is unusual for the public to be made aware of demands from union members.
• List of demands from union members: It is common for monetary issues to be negotiated last as it is considered a pivotal matter. It is not surprising that while there was an initial discussion of hundreds of issues raised by PSAC, there are now four core bargaining points.
• The precedent set for non-union employees: As this is a matter that concerns union employees, the outcome of these negotiations is not likely to set a precedent for private-sector employees. The vast majority of Canadians do not have the same benefits that most federal employees possess.
• Manager’s decision to implement remote work: In many businesses across Canada, employers have permitted a hybrid work model. While the hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility for employees, ultimately a manager would decide when an employee has to return to the office.