EPC says no to capping civic work from home hours

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This article was published 18/05/2022 (1343 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A proposed limit on how often City of Winnipeg employees can work from home has been rejected.

Coun. Janice Lukes had called to cap the number of days city staff can work remotely to a maximum of two per week (on a regular basis) within an 18-month pilot project, which would alter the city’s new flexible workplace policy.

The Waverley West councillor argued the city must avoid rushing into a more open arrangement, which she fears could affect productivity and service levels.

Instead, council’s executive policy committee cast a final, unanimous vote to strip the idea from a broader motion. Coun. Brian Mayes was absent.

Prior to the vote, Mayor Brian Bowman told media a political vote to limit the number of days employees can work from home would amount to “unprecedented” interference.

“I think what you saw today (in debate) was the inherent (concern about) politically intervening to this extent in the operations of human resource matters.”

The mayor said he hopes to see city staff return to the downtown hub soon and often, but believes a council-imposed limit was an “arbitrary” idea.

EPC did unanimously approve Lukes’s calls for future public service reports on how “flexible workplace” options affect service levels and worker productivity, as well as a call to ensure the changes “have no negative impact on the downtown economy.”

Lukes argued the city should restrict and test remote work options set an example for businesses.

“I believe the City of Winnipeg should be leading on all fronts in the economic response recovery plans. Ensuring that we bring people back (to work downtown) is a tool that we can lead on,” she said.

Despite a lengthy pandemic trial, Lukes said remote work is a relatively new concept, so the city should extensively study its benefits and challenges before committing to an unlimited program.

The head of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone told the committee the exodus of office workers from the city centre due to COVID-19 pandemic responses has devastated small businesses and plummeting foot traffic has “only slightly increased” two years later.

“Our concern is the message that a fully remote options sends to those trying to help downtown recover, the message it sends to small-business owners committed to downtown, who have faced barrier after barrier… If the city isn’t leading the way in bringing people back downtown, it makes (adapting) just that much more difficult,” said Kate Fenske, the organization’s CEO.

Fenske said some business owners are urging the city to step up with other supports, if it won’t commit to bringing municipal staff back to the office.

Michael Jack, Winnipeg chief administrative officer, said he doesn’t expect many employees will be granted permission to work from home five days per week — though municipal staff have until June 1 to apply for remote work options.

“I think what you’re going to see much more commonly is employees asking for one or two days of flexibility. I do expect the request for five days to be remote (would be) a rare request,” he said.

Jack said about 1,800 of the city’s 10,400 employees worked from home at least part-time during the pandemic and would be eligible for continued remote work. He said that group includes about 1,150 staff who work downtown.

Jack said the flexible workplace parameters are primarily needed to retain and attract staff, since some companies in other cities are now recruiting Winnipeg workers without requiring them to move.

“That was a significant driver in developing this program, absolutely… We know we’re now competing with entities and organizations across the world.”

Coun. Matt Allard adamantly opposed Lukes’ motion, alleging it ignored the benefits of flexible work locations for single parents, such as himself.

Allard also alleged the two-day limit would intrusively “tie the hands” of the municipal public service.

“(This motion is) telling the CAO how to do (his) job and really it is not our place to be making arbitrary recommendations like this,” he said.

The St. Boniface councillor told reporters he also believes remote work options could spark savings for the City of Winnipeg, perhaps by consolidating workers into fewer office spaces.

However, Jack said the idea of ending leases or selling off properties downtown won’t be considered “any time soon.”

Meanwhile, EPC cast a few other significant votes Wednesday.

The committee approved a call to seek community feedback on how legislated holidays could become more diverse, such as by adding new ones. That process could produce suggestions for provincial and federal changes on statutory holidays.

EPC also rejected a call to order a report on creating a fund that lets taxpayers voluntarily contribute to reconciliation initiatives through their property tax payments. Instead, the committee opted to take no action on that motion.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga