Thousands of Government Workers Are In Limbo As Cuts Continue
Yesterday we heard from Prime Minister Mark Carney at his Davos address in a speech that inspired the nation. He spoke about our plans to stand up for ourselves, our country, and the global economy by changing the status quo. In his speech he spoke directly to Canadians and said:
“We are no longer relying on just the strength of our values, but also on the value of our strength. We are building that strength at home.”
While the speech was inspiring, it comes during a week when the federal government is announcing mass layoffs. In the next few years, the government plans to cut the number of public service jobs by about 40,000 from a peak of 368,000. At this time, 10,000 jobs have already been eliminated, with more plans for certain roles to change or be eliminated at a future date.
I have been working for the federal government for the entirety of my career. I have been a dedicated public servant and have seen firsthand how these changes have not only affected my colleagues, but also the friends that I have made during my time with the public service. This job has seen me through the births of both my children, deaths in my family, marriage and many other milestones, but recently I returned back to my federal government job after my second maternity leave, and things just felt… different.
The differences were the usual new-mom-returns-to-work things you’d expect, but there were other shifts as well. I went from a busy manager role with a thriving team full of opportunity, to returning and learning all of my colleagues’ positions and the team’s function was entirely eliminated while I was gone. I didn’t come back to stories of camaraderie and “business as usual” banter but stories of mass workforce adjustment and teams of public servants being forced into a Hunger Games-style fight for jobs.
My colleagues who still remained filled me in on bizarre situations that occurred in my absence, like a pizza party with our Deputy Minister to celebrate keeping their job where other senior management chatted with staff whispering to them things like “Isn’t this so great? No one gets this!”. It sounded like a scene from The Office. While they were confident those remaining had survived the cuts, I wasn’t sold.
When I asked my manager what I’d be working on now, a few ideas were floated but no one could give me a concrete answer. As the days turned into weeks, it was not hard to notice that I had no role at all. No files. No responsibilities. No tasks. Once considered a rising star and suddenly not needed at all.
The writing was on the wall.
I knew, like we all knew, a Workforce Adjustment (WFA) was coming. And my destiny, along with the 40,000 other employees, was out of my hands.
When I opened my inbox this morning the first thing I saw was a meeting update with the subject line “Workforce Update”. I thought I knew what I was walking into. But instead I was in a curt meeting to confirm that yes, my role is impacted, but not based on my value or contributions. And yes. My role would still continue on for the next two years before I had to suffer through the fear of cuts and reorganizations, yet again. If you need to read that again: YES - two years. That’s how long they have people on the hook, with no promises for the future, just “on hold” for now.
During the pandemic, we were given so many promises. A new and better way of working, work-life balance, remote work opportunities, flexibility, innovation, creativity. Gone. They were putting value on finding and growing talent from across Canada, not just one specific city. But that is no longer the case.
So who is going to choose public service after this?
We’re at a critical point in our country and yet, I suspect the federal government is soon going to have a massive brain drain. I can already see the morale shift, the frustration from its high flyers. The dedicated employees who valued their contribution to our country’s policies and programs are no longer feeling like it’s worth it. I foresee an exodus of its top performers. People who are done with the ongoing frustration of the public service and all of its inadequacies are not going to stick around much longer. Instead of calling on these people to create the change it desperately needs, it will sadly push them out. Those advancing our policies, programs and services will unfortunately be led by those who squeaked by on the randomness and lack of effectiveness of the WFA.
If there’s an opportunity here, it’s for the private sector - now is your time to headhunt. There are going to be brilliant people ready to opt out of the public service and into your organizations as soon as tomorrow.
I really don’t know what’s next, but change is certainly coming in every sense of the word.
I know we all want to see our country thrive and flourish, and I’m confident we will. I know I’ll do anything to protect the things I love and celebrate the people, places and things that make Canada what it is. I just don’t know where I’ll be doing it.
If you’re an impacted federal employee and are struggling with this week’s news, please reach out to family and friends, or contact the Employee Assistance Program:
Phone: 1-800-268-7708
For individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf: 1-800-567-5803
Chat: available online (password: canada)