As a MX and Ontario Public Service employee, the recent RTO mandate from the Premier has left me and many others anxious and disheartened. Remote work allowed many of us to be more productive, present for our families, and manage professional and personal responsibilities better—without compromising work hours. We used personal time responsibly, before or after work or during breaks.

Much of how our society is structured remains deeply outdated. Remote work has helped bridge some of these gaps, but it’s far from a complete solution. Consider this: the standard workday runs from 9 to 5, yet school ends at 3. Schools observe Christmas break, March Break, and enjoy two full months of summer, while most working adults are fortunate to receive even three weeks of vacation per year. We no longer live in an era where a single-income household is the norm—so what happens to our children during the hours we spend commuting? Why is daycare the default solution? Why haven't school schedules and holiday calendars evolved to align with modern work realities? And then there’s the narrative of “we did it, so why can't you?” from the older generation — as if that somehow justifies the younger generation as lazy or incapable. But times have changed. A detached home in the GTA now costs well over a million dollars, and the overall cost of living has skyrocketed. They benefited from decades of asset inflation that younger people are now priced out of. It's about affordability and survival in a system that’s shifted dramatically...but I digress.

Flexible work isn't a moral failing; it’s a practical response to modern pressures! Remote work is now a fundamental part of the modern workplace. It improves work-life balance, cuts commuting and childcare costs, and increases efficiency. While not every role suits remote work, roles differ and should be treated accordingly. Remote work is a privilege, but one we didn’t expect to be revoked so quickly, especially given its proven benefits.

Some may argue we’re simply returning to how things were pre-pandemic—but that ignores the progress we've made as a society. Remote work existed even before the pandemic; the pandemic merely accelerated its adoption. They are stripping away something essential not only to our jobs but to our well-being - like asking a tradesperson to give up power tools or a driver to ditch GPS for paper maps. Anyone would be frustrated—because this change affects us in a deeply and personally. It’s frustrating to have so little say in decisions reshaping our daily lives.

The idea that collaboration only happens in person ignores DECADES of technology advancement connecting people WORLDWIDE. Suggesting us to quit and to “just find another job” disregards a labour market heavily skewed in employers’ favour, leaving many feeling powerless.

As an employee and taxpayer, I am frustrated the Premier prioritizes financial allies over the voices of everyday Ontarians. I’d rather see tax dollars invested in healthcare or education—not wasted undoing progress by forcing a return to outdated work models. How many schools in our province have air conditioning? Has Ford ever stepped into a classroom or portable during a heat wave? Fix that for our kids instead of spending money on office buildings! Millions$ have been saved by reducing office footprint, and millions$ have been spent modernizing our workspaces and technology; reversing that wastes public funds and undermines workforce flexibility.

Mental health and office morale are suffering. Many colleagues are ‘quiet quitting’—doing only the minimum to protect themselves. Pledging to not spend money near the office; this RTO won’t benefit the economy, only worsen traffic and pollution, harming our environment and future generations.

Is this really what working for the Ontario government has become—a place where committed employees feel unheard, undervalued, and expendable? Our productivity while working remotely has been strong. Why won’t leadership (in ministries, agencies, and Crown corporations) stand up for us, challenge this mandate, or support employee well-being? The research is clear: remote work works and should be here to stay.

I want to do my best work, but this uncertainty makes it impossible. Many colleagues, even those in manager or director positions, feel too disheartened or afraid to speak out.This is a difficult time to be part of the Ontario Public Service, and sadly, it’s a sentiment echoed across many sectors.

You may dismiss us as grifters or crybabies, but we are human beings—your neighbours, colleagues, and community members. We’ve dedicated ourselves to building a better Ontario and ensuring tax dollars serve us all. Like you, we seek dignity and purpose. Our hope isn’t to move backward, but to embrace the modern workplace and future it promises. Instead, we see a government undermining well-being and dragging society backward, all while misusing funds meant for progress. This is not the government job we signed up for. What more can we do but hope that those in power listen to our concerns? After all, everyone needs to make a living.