Regina city council is set to debate a motion that would end work-from-home arrangements for municipal employees, potentially bringing hundreds of workers back to City Hall. The discussion is scheduled for Wednesday's council meeting.
Motion Details
Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo has submitted a notice of motion recommending that all City of Regina employees return to full-time in-person office work by Aug. 21. Exceptions would only be granted for operational or medical reasons requiring special accommodation. Bezo also requests a report on whether implementing this policy shift would cost more than $250,000.
Current Remote Work Statistics
A City of Regina spokesperson confirmed that 364 of the city's 3,039 employees currently work from home under a flexible workplace arrangement. The city has offered remote work options since 2011, with the most recent policy update in 2023.
Historical Context
During the COVID-19 pandemic, city staff were directed to work fully remotely in 2021 before returning to City Hall in early 2022. Bezo argues that the extraordinary conditions that justified widespread remote work have subsided with the end of the pandemic and its public health restrictions.
Expected Benefits
Bezo suggests that a full return to in-office work could support the city's goal of fostering a vibrant and active downtown, improve transit ridership, and enhance operational efficiency among employees. The motion is part of broader efforts to revive Regina's core area.
Council will weigh the potential costs and benefits before making a decision. The outcome could set a precedent for other municipalities considering similar mandates.
