ADM(HR-Civ) Guidance for Defence Public Service Employees and Managers: Supporting a Modern, Flexible and Varied Workforce through COVID-19 and Beyond

May 3, 2022 - Defence Stories

The DM/CDS Directive: Operating and Reconstituting in a Persistent COVID-19 Environment underscores the fact that COVID-19 will remain within our communities. As result, teams will need to determine a balance between on-site, virtual and hybrid work that supports employees and meets operational requirements.

To support public service employees and their managers, ADM(HR-Civ) has issued the 2022 Guidance for Defence Public Service Employees & Managers: Supporting a Modern, Flexible and Varied Workforce through COVID-19 and Beyond. This guidance aligns with the DM/CDS Directive and reflects a shift from post-pandemic planning to operating and reconstituting in a persistent COVID-19 environment and the gradual resumption of all activities to pre-pandemic levels.

Updates to the guidance include:

• Vaccine Policy, attestation and audits;
• Information on virtual and hybrid working arrangements and how employees and managers can leverage the Civilian Flexible Work Program (FWP) (accessible only on the National Defence network);
• Guidance for working on-site and information on Occupational Health and Safety considerations, including the DND/CAF COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Detection Testing (RADT) program;
• Information for groups faced with specific challenges, such as caregivers;
• Guides for public service employees and managers navigating the current posture; and
• Total health and well-being resources to support the physical and psychological health and safety of the public service community.

The organization’s top priority remains the health and safety of our people. These guidelines will strengthen our workforce by helping the Defence Team meet the needs of the future, while supporting our employees at home and in the workplace. Further direction, guidance and tools will be developed to help support employees and managers as we continue to transition to the Defence Team’s hybrid work posture.

If you have any questions, please contact HR Connect (accessible only on the National Defence network) at 1-833-747-6363. You can also download the HR Go RH App (accessible only on the National Defence network), read the Defence Team COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions or submit a question to the Ask Anything: COVID-19 as part of the DND/CAF’s COVID-19 resources.