Organization decides to sell Ottawa office
The Conference Board of Canada is transitioning to become a fully remote-based organization on a permanent basis.
“Like other knowledge-based organizations, the Conference Board of Canada has shifted to a remote workforce. Through outstanding collaboration and a true focus on our customers, we’re proud to say we have embraced this transition,” it said in a tweet.
The not-for-profit think thank added that it will be selling its building on Smyth Rd. in Ottawa as it “will no longer require a permanent office location… this change is exciting.”
While one-third (33.3 per cent) of workers either hope or expect to completely return to the office, nearly one-fifth (19.1 per cent) hope or expect to work from home for five days or more per week, according to a survey by O.C. Tanner released in June.
Meanwhile, online job posting firm Indeed told its employees around the world to stay home, at least until next summer.
Surveys
The Conference Board of Canada conducted a study last month that found that by June 22, nearly two-thirds of organizations have at least 60 per cent of the workforce working remotely – in contrast to before the pandemic when nine in 10 organizations had less than 20 per cent of their workforce working from home.
By June 22, 13 per cent of organizations would have 100 per cent of their workforce working remotely. Prior to COVID-19, there was no company that had 100 per cent of their workforce working out of the office.
Months after COVID-19 began to spread in Canada, nearly four in 10 (38 per cent) workers still do not feel safe returning to their regular workplace, according to a study released by Statistics Canada earlier this month.
Also, 52 per cent of CFOs say that they will make remote work a permanent option, and they are going to make some adjustments to the setup, according to a global survey from PwC.
