Status quo not maintained regarding full-time remote work

The union is contesting the employer's decision to impose a minimum of three days on-site work per week. It is seeking a provisional order to maintain the status quo during the proceedings, so that employees can continue to work exclusively remotely, as they have done since the pandemic. Following the analysis of the evidence, the arbitrator stated that there was no evidence at this stage that the employer was seeking to contravene existing policies or the collective agreement. Nor was the arbitrator convinced of the existence of serious or irreparable harm. For example, the union argued that some employees would be forced to resign or move to be closer to work. According to the arbitrator, these scenarios, if proven, could be compensated for at the time of the decision on the merits of the case. The request for an order was therefore rejected.

Syndicat québécois des employés de Telus, section locale 5044  andTelus Communication inc.
2025EXPT-195, 2024 QCTA 589, M^e Marc Mancini