An internal employee survey has revealed growing dissatisfaction among Ontario Public Service (OPS) employees, with confidence in leadership, workplace flexibility and overall job satisfaction declining following the provincial government’s return-to-office mandate.
The survey, conducted between February 18 and March 13 and involving more than 43,000 employees, found that only 51 per cent of respondents would recommend the Ontario Public Service as a great place to work. Just 52 per cent said they would remain with the organization if offered a comparable position elsewhere, continuing a downward trend observed in surveys conducted since 2021.
Employee perceptions of flexible work arrangements experienced one of the sharpest declines. Only 40 per cent of respondents agreed that their workplace supports flexible work, down significantly from 58 per cent in the 2024 survey. The results follow Premier Doug Ford’s decision requiring most Ontario Public Service employees to return to the office five days a week beginning in January 2026.
The survey also found that fewer employees believe they receive adequate support to maintain a healthy work-life balance or that senior leaders embrace modern workplace practices. Perceptions of emotional well-being in the workplace also declined, with only 48 per cent saying they felt supported, compared with 53 per cent two years earlier.
Requests for workplace accommodations have also increased. Twenty per cent of employees reported requiring employment accommodations, compared with 13 per cent in 2024. More than one-third of those requests remain under review, more than double the proportion reported in the previous survey.
The number of employees identifying as having a disability also increased, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning disabilities accounting for the largest share. Social media discussions among Ontario Public Service employees have reflected growing concern over accommodation requests following the return-to-office policy, with reports indicating that many applications have recently been denied.
Confidence in senior leadership also declined. Just over half of respondents said leaders demonstrate accountability for their actions, while only 29 per cent expressed confidence that the concerns raised in the survey would result in meaningful action.
In contrast, employees expressed much stronger confidence in their direct supervisors and colleagues. More than 80 per cent reported positive working relationships with their immediate managers, and over three-quarters said they trusted them. Similar numbers said they felt respected at work and believed their colleagues valued their ideas and contributions.
The survey also highlighted concerns about workload, compensation and workplace stress. More than half of respondents felt their workload was unreasonable, while only 42 per cent believed they were fairly compensated. Just 38 per cent said they experience a reasonable level of workplace stress, and approximately half reported that work-related pressures had negatively affected their mental health during the past year.
Measures of workplace inclusion also continued to decline, reflecting lower levels of employee engagement and belonging compared with previous surveys. Nevertheless, the vast majority of respondents reported not experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment during the past year, with those figures remaining relatively stable.
The survey achieved a 63 per cent participation rate, representing one of the largest employee feedback exercises within the Ontario Public Service.
In a message to employees accompanying the survey results, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Ontario Public Service Michelle DiEmanuele acknowledged declines in employee engagement, inclusion and confidence in leadership. She also highlighted continued progress in workforce diversity, noting that the Ontario Public Service now meets or exceeds representation benchmarks for 11 socio-demographic groups, although leadership positions continue to show diversity gaps.
The Ontario government and Premier Doug Ford’s office had not publicly commented on the survey findings at the time of publication. The results provide one of the clearest indications yet of how Ontario’s public servants are responding to workplace changes introduced under the government’s return-to-office policy.