OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly urged the federal government and municipalities throughout Ontario to mandate a full-time return to the office for their employees. Speaking to reporters in Inglewood, Ontario, on Wednesday, Ford highlighted the City of Ottawa's recent initiative to require its municipal workers to be physically present in the office five days a week starting in the new year.

Ford expressed his support for Ottawa's decision, stating that the federal government should "follow suit." He encouraged all regions in Ontario to adopt a similar policy, emphasizing the benefits of in-person work for mentoring and collaboration among employees.

Earlier this month, Premier Ford announced that thousands of Ontario civil servants would also be required to return to the office full time by January. His comments reflect a growing trend aimed at reversing remote work policies as several major banks and companies, including RBC and Bank of Montreal, have begun to increase the number of days their employees must work in the office.

At present, federal public servants are required to spend a minimum of three days per week in the office, while executives must be present four days a week. The shift towards mandatory office attendance aligns with the overall push for a re-evaluation of remote work practices that some organizations are currently undertaking.

As work environments continue to evolve in the wake of the pandemic, Ford's advocacy for returning to full-time in-office work reflects a significant movement among provincial leadership and large corporations to promote workplace dynamics that prioritize direct interaction and teamwork.

The Ontario Premier's remarks may have broader implications for workplace policies across the province, indicating a potential shift back towards traditional office-centric work models as businesses and government institutions navigate post-pandemic recovery.