Starting February, Alberta government employees are set to return to full-time, in-office work, as announced by the province on Friday. Since March 2022, Alberta Public Service (APS) staff had the option to work remotely for up to two days per week under the province’s hybrid work policy. Approximately 44% of the workforce, totaling nearly 12,600 government employees, had been participating in this arrangement as of August.
The province stated in a news release that the hybrid work policy, initially introduced in response to the public health crisis, will be discontinued due to evolving circumstances and industry trends. This decision aligns with a similar move made by the Ontario provincial government in August, requiring its employees to work in-office five days a week starting January 5, 2026.
While full-time office work will become the norm for APS employees, the government emphasized its commitment to flexibility through alternative policies such as hours of work averaging arrangements, flexible hours, and modified work schedules based on operational needs. Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office, responsible for overseeing the public workforce, expressed support for the decision, anticipating enhanced collaboration, accountability, and service delivery for Albertans.
Despite the positive reception from businesses in downtown Edmonton, where numerous Alberta government offices are situated, Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi raised concerns about the impact of the transition. Nenshi criticized the United Conservative Party government for what he perceived as a lack of respect toward workers. However, businesses in the downtown area welcomed the news, anticipating increased foot traffic and a boost in economic activity with more employees returning to the office setting. Quinn Phillips, director of marketing and communications with the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, highlighted the positive effects of having more people in the downtown core during daytime hours, noting the benefits for local businesses and the overall vibrancy of the area.
