Department of National Defence Guidelines for Hybrid Work
Common Hybrid Work Model
In December 2022, the Government of Canada announced the implementation of a Common Hybrid Work Model. This guidance is to ensure consistency, collaboration, and cohesion across the federal public service.
In May 2024, this direction was updated to indicate that, effective September 9, 2024, all public service employees must work on-site a minimum of three days a week and executives are expected to be present at the worksite four days a week. At the Department of National Defence (DND), executives are defined as:
An employee appointed or deployed or an employee acting in one of the following groups and levels:
- Executive (EX) Group, levels 01 to 05
- Defence Scientific Service (DS) Group, levels 7A, 7B, and 8
- Law Management (LC) Group, levels 01 to 04
The primary purpose of the direction is to establish a consistent minimum requirement for all public servants to come to their designated worksite three days per week. The 60% requirement is an alternative that only applies when certain operational requirements or job types (e.g., part-time workers, students) are such that a three days per week minimum is not possible. Under this model, the employer has the exclusive management right to designate the location of work and to require employees to report to their designated workplace. Managers should plan and manage their operations in accordance with the primary purpose of the direction, which is establishing a minimum on-site presence of three days per week. Many at DND are already doing so or more to meet operational requirements and ensure collaboration and engagement among colleagues.
This Common Hybrid Work Model applies to all federal public service employees in the core public administration who are working in a hybrid model. At DND, compliance for Information Technology (IT) professionals will be gradually implemented under a phased approach following the rescindment of the general IT exception under the previous Common Hybrid Work Model. By adhering to these requirements, employees are delivering service to Canadians and the Defence Team and strengthening their confidence in the public service, while upholding the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector as a condition of employment.
Hybrid by design
A hybrid work environment enables the Defence Team to have an agile, inclusive and responsive workforce that is ready to deliver on DND and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)'s mandate. As we transition to the updated Common Hybrid Work Model for the federal public service, we are putting in place the tools that employees need to optimize their hybrid work experience and create a safe, healthy, and productive workplace.
Many teams at DND have operational requirements that prohibit a hybrid work posture. This guide provides information and supports to ensure compliance with applicable Treasury Board and DND policy, regardless of their work posture, and offers guidance and best practices for those looking to implement flexible or hybrid approaches in their work.
This guide provides direction and resources for L1s, managers and employees to ensure they have the equipment, accommodations, and information necessary to have a meaningful and productive in-office experience. It is intended to help managers and employees better understand compliance and reporting requirements, scheduling in-office days, and the equipment and IT infrastructure available to them to support this transition. It also provides guidance to L1s on key issues such as office space allocation and personal storage.
The guide is centered around three themes:
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