March 3, 2022 Legal Aid Ontario’s CEO, David Field, provided an overview of LAO’s current plans for a phased-in and gradual approach to a return to physical workplaces, including courts. The update included the following:
LAO is taking a phased approach to the return to physical workspaces and in-person services. This will allow staff to return in a gradual way, while also allowing the organization to respond to rapidly changing circumstances such as client needs, stakeholder needs, as well as public health measures. In addition, the phased approach will support the development of a formalized hybrid work model for many LAO employees.
Phase 1 – Reintegration (April – May, two weeks per department)
The reintegration phase will support the gradual return to the workplace by ensuring a successful reintegration into modified workstations, IT equipment, transportation and new workplace norms.
The reintegration phase will have initial emphasis placed on client-facing and court-based roles. We are anticipating this process will take approximately two weeks per department/district, with employees expected to attend the office one or two days during the two-week time period.
We are currently planning for the following sequencing:
- April 4 – April 15: RSD Court based staff
- April 18 – April 29: RSD District office staff (including RLO, Senior Counsel, ILSO & FLSC)
- May 2 – May 13: Provincial office – SPA & Corporate Services
- May 16 – May 27: Provincial office – GCO, CLSD and MO
In the coming weeks, directors and managers for each department will determine and communicate schedules and attendance dates for their individual teams, and provide any additional information required to assist with returning to the office.
During this time, managers and staff will have access to enhanced supports to ensure a smooth return to physical workplaces.
Client services will remain primarily remote during this phase.
Phase 2 – Transitional working model (Anticipated timeline: April 15 – December 31)
During this phase, many LAO staff will transition from a virtual working model to a transitional hybrid model based on factors including client needs, efficiency of service delivery and stakeholder requirements.
During the transition phase, LAO will engage in collaborative discussions with staff, union partners, and stakeholders on the delivery of in-person services.
The schedule and frequency of attendance in-person during the transition phase will vary by department and will be communicated by management.
Given the fluid nature of the province’s reopening, the need for flexibility will be key during this phase, and public health measures will continue to inform our decision making.
Phase 3 – LAO’s hybrid working model (Anticipated launch: January 2023)
Over the coming months, LAO will develop an organization-wide hybrid workplace model, taking into consideration the range of services and roles performed throughout the organization.
Implementation of a formalized hybrid model will define and shape our employee culture, and it will support long-term employee engagement.
As you can appreciate, this is a period of rapid transition. As we know, the province has begun lifting certain restrictions as of March 1 and has set out its plans for the return to the workplace for employees in the Ontario Public Service. Further, this week we have heard through MAG’s Recovery Secretariat that physical distancing and capacity limits in courthouses will change in conjunction with the provincial reopening. LAO will consider these changing circumstances as we further develop plans for our phased return.
We will be organizing town halls in the coming weeks to address questions and provide further information. Please visit our return to physical workspaces news and updates page on The Source to stay up to date on all return-to-work related news.