City office staff to continue working remotely until provincial public health guidelines change
The City of Toronto is revising its previously announced plans to get employees back to the office.
Staff will continue to work remotely, following the advice from chief medical officer of health for employers in all industries in the province to have employees work from home whenever possible.
“Given the new provincial advice, the city manager has advised employees who are able to work remotely to continue to do so until the public health advice changes,” says Mayor John Tory.
The city was set to welcome workers back starting Jan. 4, 2022 and just a week ago, Tory had stuck with that decision.
But yesterday, the mayor called on everyone to adhere to public health advice, especially with the new Omicron variant emerging.
“I also want to encourage everyone who is not already vaccinated against COVID-19 to take this important step and to remind those who are eligible to book their third dose as soon as they can.”.
Meanwhile, counter services at City Hall and civic centres will remain open, as they have since August.
In the U.S., Google and Ford have also announced suspensions to their return to the office plans.
Meanwhile, some employers – such as GSoft in Montreal – have embraced a fully remote model.
