Toronto sets January date for city workers to return to the office, amid rising COVID-19 cases, Omicron uncertainty, and more
Toronto is now set to open up its office spaces and employees to all employees on Monday, starting the new year, although the date is still subject to change and many staff on the ground are worried it won’t happen.
There is some good news around: Toronto city workers will be taking a holiday on January 5 and will be back in a couple of days. It’s a first step out of the office this year, and City News, the city’s newsletter, is still predicting it will go well.
“I think the people I talk to at City Hall are pretty excited,” said Staff Sergeant Andy Pascuzzo, who works for the Toronto Police Services Board of Major Investigation. He said he’s heard from employees who will be back Monday, or later, and that many workers want to take a break, but it’s up to them because if they don’t, they don’t get paid. He said he’s heard from some police officers who have called to let them know they’ll be working through winter, and others that they will want to take a time out.
“I think when they take a break, they will be able to spend more time with their family. They will have the ability to talk to their loved ones and not have to sit on the phone,” said Pascuzzo.
Mayor John Tory said Toronto police, fire, and municipal employees who want a two-week, four-day or 12-week paid break are advised to come to work on Monday and look into the details of their paid holiday, which will be subject to negotiation and it can range from a half day to seven days.
“If they want to take a break, they will get to take a break. If they don’t, they won’t get paid. We’ve already