Remote Work Rights Legislation Introduced In Québec

Québec Solidaire, a political party in Quebec, has tabled new legislation aimed at regulating remote work under a hybrid model, according to a report from the Canadian HR Reporter. The proposed bill seeks to establish a framework for employees’ rights to work from home, addressing the growing prevalence of remote and hybrid work arrangements.

If passed, workers would be able to file complaints against their employers if they believe their remote work requests were denied unjustly. Under the new legislation, remote work would not be a right, but some protections would be provided.

Political Commentary

Politician Alexandre Leduc said of the current remote work situation:

“As we speak, it’s 100 per cent the decision of the boss. The boss can decide it’s 100 per cent work from home, and the next morning, he can decide it’s 100 per cent work from the office. We think it’s not a good policy. You should have balance between the worker and the boss.

We are offering a hybrid method, so the workers…can ask to work from home from a hybrid perspective.

The aim is not to create squabbles throughout Quebec, but to reach a rapid decision in these situations, in the same way as for all other labour standards.”

The legislation focuses on ensuring fair treatment for remote workers and also includes provisions to ban the use of remote monitoring software by employers. Leduc said, “It’s bad management practice, and would probably be considered harassment: nobody wants their boss watching them through a screen all the time.”

In addition to the remote work bill, Québec Solidaire has also introduced a separate piece of legislation to expand the province’s anti-scab laws to include remote workers. This proposed expansion aims to strengthen protections for workers during labor disputes by ensuring that remote workers are covered under existing anti-scab provisions.