The Implementation of the Workplace Presence Management Tool (WPMT)

Description of Program/Initiative

In the spring of 2023, the federal public service adopted a common hybrid work model to ensure the experience of working in the public service or receiving services from it is the same across the government and across the country. To maximize the benefits of presence in the workplace and to bring greater fairness and consistency to the application of hybrid work, the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) announced an update to the Direction on Prescribed Presence in the Workplace, hereinafter referred to as the Direction, establishing a minimum requirement of three days per week in the office for all public servants. To provide leadership and effectively support their teams, executives are expected to be on-site a minimum of four days per week.

In response to this Direction, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are implementing measures to ensure full compliance. To do so, all managers will be required to use the Workplace Presence Management Tool (WPMT) to enter employees' daily work locations. The WPMT is a stand-alone system that will aggregate data at the branch level in order to provide senior management with comprehensive reporting on workplace attendance.

Why was a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) completed?

While the activity does not involve any decision-making process that directly affects individuals, it has been determined that the implementation of the Workplace Presence Management Tool warrant the completion of a PIA given potential impact on the privacy of individuals

More Information

This PIA focused on Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canadas use, disclosure, retention, and disposition of personal information in relation to the implementation of the Workplace Presence Management Tool.

In response to the PIA recommendations, the Talent and Workplace Culture Directorate has updated the privacy notice on the tool, sought an Interim Authority to Operate for the platform and will be seeking confirmation from Information Management advisors to ensure appropriate retention schedules for personal information.

For more information about this PIA please contact the Talent and Workplace Culture Directorate at OneHR-UneRH@hc-sc.gc.ca.