The University of Toronto (U of T) is mandating that its administrative staff return to the office full-time starting next year.
The move back to office is a rising trend in Canada, with many employers, including municipalities and banks, having their workers return to the office five days a week. This follows a trend during COVID-19 that saw many companies adopt hybrid or remote work models for their staff.
According to a memo from U of T President Melanie A. Woodin to staff shared online by the school, the change aims to ensure the school has a “critical mass of administrative staff” on campus from Monday to Friday, while honouring U of T’s “institutional commitment to considering alternative work arrangements.”
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“At the heart of this decision is our commitment to an academic community where students, faculty, librarians and staff learn, work, debate, and solve problems face to face,” memo reads, adding that the in-person experience is the foundation of U of T’s vibrant campus life.
In the memo, Woodin says nurturing a dynamic community of over 100,000 students requires a critical mass of people on campus.
“It means that students, faculty, librarians and staff have access to in-person services when they need them, that more of the spontaneous and multi-disciplinary ‘collisions’ that spark ideas can take place, and that a visible tri-campus presence can thrive,” the memo reads.
The school has campuses in Mississauga, Scarborough, and downtown Toronto.
Woodin also acknowledges that the change could be “challenging” for some staff.
“Campuses and divisions will initiate this shift beginning in January 2026, or sooner in some cases, with the understanding that it may take several months or more to realize.”
CURRENT ALTERNATIVE WORK ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE IMPACTED: UNION
Following Woodin’s announcement, United Steel Workers Local 1998, the union representing the administrative and technical staff at U of T, took to Instagram to share that its leaders understand the memo may have left members feeling uneasy, confused, and frustrated.
“From the Local’s perspective, this notice does not prescribe a mandate that everyone must be on campus 5 days a week. The notice also does not prescribe a centrally mandated minimum number of days of work on campus,” the union said.
The post says that the union’s current collective agreement has language specific to alternative work arrangements that cannot be unilaterally changed by the school, adding that the notice does say that the school has a “commitment to considering alternative work arrangements.”
“We will work to get more clarity about the new direction being taken by the University and will provide members with updates as they become available.”
“If you have a current alternative work arrangement, President Woodin’s notice should not impact that arrangement,” the union continued, adding that if a manager changes a member’s current alternative work arrangement part way through the term, they should contact Local 1998.
The local university is one of the latest Canadian employers to send workers back to the office Monday to Friday. In August, both the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa announced that it would be mandating a five-day in-office work week for its staff starting in 2026.
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Meanwhile, large banks like RBC and TD announced they are also sending workers back to the office.
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