Shared Services Canada Abandons Desk Hoteling for Ottawa-Gatineau Employees
In response to the federal government's four-day return-to-office mandate, Shared Services Canada is moving away from desk hoteling for its employees in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. According to an internal email obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, the department will implement a new "neighborhood model" that groups teams together and assigns workstations, while shutting down satellite co-working locations.
New Neighborhood Model to Replace Hoteling System
The email, sent to staff on Monday, April 20, and signed by assistant deputy minister Jacquie Manchevsky, outlines that the neighborhood model will organize teams and directorates into specific areas within government buildings. This shift will eliminate the need for booking shared desks through software like Archibus, which is being scrapped by the department's operations and client services branch.
The new model is scheduled to take effect on September 8, approximately two months after the July 6 deadline when most public servants must return to the office four days per week, up from three days. Executives are already required to be on-site full time as of May 4, increasing from four days a week.
Reversal of Pre-Pandemic Workplace Strategy
This move marks a significant reversal from the desk hoteling approach that was widely adopted before the COVID-19 pandemic sent workers home. Under the current hybrid work model, desk hoteling has been common in government offices, with employees booking shared workspaces as needed.
An Ottawa Citizen analysis of government data revealed that in 2024, at least 50 percent of staff at nearly 40 departments and agencies in the core public administration did not have assigned workspaces. Shared Services Canada ranked particularly high, with 92 percent of its staff lacking assigned desks that year.
Employee Reactions and Broader Implications
The change has sparked mixed emotions among employees, especially IT professionals who have been vocal opponents of the return-to-office mandates. Many argue that their jobs can be done efficiently from home without impacting productivity. In her email, Manchevsky acknowledged the challenges, stating, "I recognize that workplace transitions like this can bring a mix of emotions, and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as these changes take shape."
This internal announcement follows recent acknowledgments from Public Services and Procurement Canada that the government may need to acquire additional office space to accommodate the increased on-site presence. This potential expansion reverses a previous commitment to cut the government's building portfolio by half over a decade.
The neighborhood model aims to foster closer collaboration and consistent working methods, as highlighted in the email: "The neighbourhood model will give us the chance to work more closely together while supporting consistent and efficient ways of working." Observers had predicted a decline in desk hoteling rates if return-to-office mandates were enforced, and Shared Services Canada's actions confirm this trend, setting a precedent for other departments grappling with similar transitions.
