The Ontario government will require all civil servants to work in the office five days a week starting Jan. 5, 2026, ending flexible work arrangements that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney announced the change Thursday, saying the move reflects current workplace standards across public and private sector organizations in the province.
“The return to a five days per week in-workplace standard represents the current workforce landscape in the province and it reinforces our commitment to reflecting the people and businesses we serve across Ontario,” Mulroney said in a statement.
Gradual transition planned
The government will implement the change in stages, according to the announcement. Starting Oct. 20, 2025, employees currently working three days per week in the office will increase to four days as part of a gradual transition.
More than half of Ontario Public Service employees already work in the office full time based on the nature of their jobs, according to the government.
The new policy will apply to the Ontario Public Service and its provincial agencies, boards and commissions, Mulroney said.
Part of broader economic strategy
The government describes the return-to-office mandate as part of efforts to build a “more competitive, resilient and self-reliant Ontario,” according to the statement.
The change affects thousands of provincial employees across Ontario who have been working under hybrid arrangements since pandemic restrictions eased.
The announcement comes as many large employers across Canada reassess remote work policies implemented during the health crisis.
