ICBC – Returning to the Office and What it Means for You

This week, ICBC laid out their plan for every single employee – bargaining unit and excluded – on what they plan to do once we reach Step 4 of BC’s Restart Plan. Step 4 is the point where the Public Health Officer believes it is safe for all of us to return to a normal state.

Many of you may be feeling a little unsettled about the prospect of returning to your office. That is completely understandable and expected. Thankfully, ICBC is giving everyone a two-and-a-half month notice of their plan so that you can make plans and adapt to their desire to reintegrate staff to their facilities, and with one another. The personal connections and interactions just are not the same online. Seeing each other in person once again, if only for a couple of days a week, will help to rebuild that sense of community and camaraderie.

We have learned many lessons over the last 15 months. We have proven that we can successfully transition to a work-from-home environment, even for jobs that many employers, including ICBC, did not believe was possible. Prior to the pandemic, ICBC was extremely tentative as to which jobs and people they would agree could do work from home. Now, they see that most jobs can be done remotely.

During bargaining in 2020, we suggested that the restrictive nature of LOU 13 was not ideal. At that time, we were in the early days of this pandemic. Even then, it was apparent that preconceived notions of remote work were being erased by the reality of our altered world. The agreed change allowed for ICBC to offer more flexible work-from-home arrangements. We moved from the rigidness of a maximum of three days a week, to a maximum of six days in a two-week period. This might not seem significant, but it will allow ICBC to have staff working one week in the office and one week out, for instance.

Some of you may want more time at home than what ICBC has created in their plan. However, the employer has been clear from the start: once this pandemic is behind us, they want to get back to the language of LOU 13. Recently, we asked if they were willing to open it up for more flexibility but, at this time, they are not interested in varying the existing agreement.

The last 15 months have certainly taken a toll on all of us. The emotional, mental, and physical impact of living through a pandemic can not be underestimated. I am incredibly thankful that there have been very few staff at ICBC infected by COVID-19, but that does not mean we have not felt its effect on our lives in any number of ways. I hope that everyone continues to stay safe and healthy as we move into Step 3 and Step 4 of the Restart Plan. If you or your family require support, please contact your confidential Employee and Family Assistance Program at 1-866-395-9191.

In solidarity,

Annette Toth, Vice President