Will DND employees whose work arrangements will not change due to the new hybrid work model still be required to fill out a myWorkArrangement (mWA)?
All public service employees must submit a work arrangement agreement in mWA by March 3, 2023, including employees working full-time on-site and those who have not experienced a change in their work arrangements.
Any agreements previously submitted through the Civilian Flexible Work Program form are no longer valid and must be submitted as new agreements in mWA.
Do contract workers, students and part-time employees need to fill out a myWorkArrangement?
All public service employees, regardless of tenure (indeterminate, term, casual and student) or if they are hired on a full-time or part-time basis are to enter their work arrangements in myWorkArrangements (mWA) by March 3, 2023.
Contract workers are not subject to this requirement.
A solution for those who do not have access to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Application Portal (TAP) portal, where the mWA application is housed, is forthcoming. More information will be shared when it becomes available.
Can DND employees currently working full-time in the office adopt a Hybrid Work Model?
Hybrid work is a flexible work option which can be considered across DND based on L1 direction and operational requirements.
Employees currently working full-time on-site can discuss with their manager whether hybrid work is an appropriate option for them. The decision is at the manager's discretion and should be made in consideration of several factors, including the degree to which an individual's work can be effectively performed remotely or in the office.
Are managers still able to hire someone who lives outside of the 125 km radius even though they would need to work remotely full time?
As per the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace - Canada.ca, L1ss are delegated to approve certain exceptional circumstances. Accordingly, the respective L1 will determine if hiring an individual outside of the 125 km radius from a designated worksite is feasible or not. This decision may be based on a variety of factors such as operational requirements, hard-to-hire jobs and suitability of the work to a virtual location. Even when approved, employees living outside of the 125 km radius may still be required to report to the designated worksite on occasion.
A process by which exceptions to the common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service prior to employment with DND is in progress and will be announced shortly.
What is the process to request an exception to the new Hybrid Work Model and what are the approval level requirements? Does the option (hybrid, full-time work, or full-time telework, etc.) dictate the approval level?
Employees seeking exceptions for full-time telework as identified in the common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service are to signal their request for such measures to their managers before the submission deadline of March 3, 2023. They are not to enter full-time work arrangement agreements in mWA until they have L1 approval.
ADM(HR-Civ) is working to define a process based on the Treasury Board Secretariat criteria that will allow for exceptions; however, these exceptions will be narrow in scope and the approval will be required at the ADM level.
More information will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.
Who should DND employees contact if they do not have access to the myWorkArrangement app on TBS Application Portal?
We are working on a solution for those who do not have access to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Application Portal (TAP) portal, where mWA is housed.
More information will be communicated as soon as it becomes available, including extensions to the submission deadline.
Employees and managers can get in touch with HR Connect RH as needed.
Is the Hybrid Work Model applicable to both public servants and serving CAF members?
While this direction was specific to public servants, implementation of this policy may also have impacts on Canadian Armed Forces members, especially in the areas of IM/IT and accommodations. Members are encouraged to consult their local Chain of Command for additional details.
When is the deadline to submit a work arrangement agreement in myWorkArrangement?
All public service employees must submit a work arrangement agreement in mWA by March 3, 2023, including employees working full-time on-site.
Prior to approving arrangements, managers are expected to discuss an overall approach to hybrid work with their teams regarding their personal work arrangements. Agreements can be iterative and updated as the implementation of the common hybrid model progresses.
Are military members required to submit a Hybrid Work Arrangement?
While this direction was specific to public servants, implementation of this policy may also have impacts on Canadian Armed Forces members, especially in the areas of IM/IT and accommodations.
CAF members do not need to complete new Flexible Work Agreements (FWA) via the MyWorkArrangements application like public servants will be required to. Instead, they should discuss Hybrid Work Arrangement possibilities with their Chain of Command.
Military managers of civilian employees are required to review and approve agreements in myWorkArrangements application in Treasury Board's TAP.
Will there be any tax implications for returning to the office?
No, there are no tax implications for returning to the office.
The same taxation rules apply, however, if you previously claimed home expenses as an employee working remotely, you may need to adjust based on the amount of time spent working from your residence once in a hybrid posture.
Employees are encouraged to consult Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for information on deductions and taxes.
Will individuals on full-time second language training be expected to go into the office for the training if it is currently conducted virtually?
Employees who are on full-time second language training will be expected to continue their training as per current arrangements with the training provider whether they be virtual, hybrid or in-person.
Any changes to training arrangements should be communicated directly to employees by the training provider.
What is the process to submit a Flexible Work Agreement (FWA) and obtain approval from their ADM if a person believes they are entitled to an exemption?
Information for work arrangements can be found on the work arrangements website: Guide to work arrangements (mil.ca)
Currently, the department continues to work with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) to develop clear criteria for full-time telework agreements, accommodations, and exceptions including situations such as where an employee lives more than 125km from their designated worksite.
This process will be communicated when available.
How will managers ensure that the hybrid schedule is respected?
Employees and managers are expected to proactively engage in discussions to address and clarify expectations with regards to hybrid work.
Employees are expected to submit their work arrangement to their manager for approval through the new Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) myWorkArrangements application.
Further guidance will be provided in the coming weeks to ensure everyone can work effectively in this formal hybrid environment.
