- Submitted By Trina Flavel, Moose Jaw, SK
Apr 19, 2023
When Canadians needed us most during the pandemic, we stepped up to provide essential services and financial aid to millions of people through administering benefit programs. We’ve been here for Canada, without a contract, while the cost of everything from groceries and gas to utilities continues to skyrocket and our wages have been stuck in neutral. Now is the time for the government to be there for us and our families.
We have shown that during a global crisis we can still perform our duties by being flexible and accommodating. Being able to transition from working in an office to working remotely almost overnight shows how dedicated we are to serving Canadians. We have gotten the job done and have far surpassed what was asked and shown that we are able to work remotely successfully. Now the government has mandated employees back to the office without justifiable reasoning which has disrupted employees work-life balance.
Being able to work remotely has been a highlight of my long career with the Public Service. It has allowed me to balance time with my family while working full-time. For years, I had been commuting to work and it had started to take a toll on my mental health. Living in Saskatchewan with our unpredictable weather added to the stress of an already long day. I know I am not alone, and many employees have found remote work to be the perfect fit for them for various reasons.
One of the advantages for employees working remotely is spending less money on transportation, parking, and additional vehicle expenses. This allows them to spend more money and time in their local communities supporting their economy and small businesses. Many smaller communities were losing members to larger centers but now many are seeing their communities thriving again. These communities are more appealing to those who want a quieter place to raise a family and more affordable housing.
I am optimistic that we will be able to return to work as quickly as possible, and I look forward to celebrating my 25th milestone Anniversary next year while continuing to serve Canadians as a Public Servant of Canada.
-Opinions expressed here are those of the author and don’t necessarily represent those of LMT, but they seem fine.
