UofT says administrative staff will need to be on campus fulltime as of January

A person walks past the University of Toronto campus in Toronto, Wednesday, June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The University of Toronto (UofT) says its administrative staff will need to be back on campus fulltime as of next year.

UofT President Melanie Woodin said in a statement Friday that “being present with and for one another matters,” and that the decision to end regular remote work was made after discussions with academic and administrative leaders.

“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. This in-person experience is the foundation of our vibrant campus life,” Woodin said.

She said the decision will ensure there is “a critical mass of administrative staff present on our campuses five days per week,” Monday through Friday to allow more “spontaneous and multi-disciplinary ‘collisions,’” to take place.

However she noted UofT will still honour its “institutional commitment” to consider alternative work arrangements where called for.

The university said campuses and divisions will make the change in January 2026, or sooner in some cases, but that “it may take several months or more to realize” in some cases.

Woodin said she understands the change “may be challenging for some staff” and thanked them for their dedication and flexibility.

Union says staff ‘confused and frustrated’

However in a statement, the union representing the workers said it is not taking Woodin’s statement as binding and is working to get clarity on the move.

USW Local 1998 President John Ankenman and vice-President Tamara Vickery said in a joint statement that Woodin’s notice has left staff “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 two said, adding that alternate work arrangements cannot be changed unilaterally under the union’s collective agreement with the university.

“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,” Ankenman and Vickery said.