Manitoba Public Insurance’s decision to shift its workforce towards a hybrid work model has sparked discontent among some of its employees.
The Crown corporation recently asked its staff members to return to the office either full time or on a part-time basis.
It said the shift to a hybrid work program aligns its operations with similar arrangements implemented by the Manitoba government, provincial Crown corporations, and other large entities.
However, the union representing MPI employees said some of its members are unhappy about the transition.
In a statement to CBC News, Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU), shared employees’ frustrations over how the return-to-office mandate will impact their daily routines.
“We would have expected that they would do everything they could to rebuild relationships and not further upset their workforce,” Ross added, referring to the recently concluded MPI workers’ strike.
The new hybrid program would introduce a structured schedule, requiring 400 employees to work three days in the office one week, then two days the next week.
Additionally, management roles presently designated as hybrid positions are expected to be present in the office at least three days a week.
In a memo to employees, MPI said the new policy aims to support “work-life balance while encouraging more in-person collaboration” among staff.
MPI’s move to transition to a hybrid work model comes as the insurer recovers from backlogs caused by a nearly 10-week labour interruption that began in late August, when unionized employees voted in favour of a strike mandate.
Striking employees went back to work in early November after they accepted a contract offer that promised wage increases of at least 13% over four years.
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