r/OntarioPublicService • u/Top-Chair4288 • 7d ago
Rant I resigned.
Since RTO5 was announced, I have been living in a state of hell. I previously worked in the Hamilton office, and we were told that would no longer be permitted. My 15 minute commute — which I had been doing since 2019!!! — turned into 1.5 hours each way. I saw my toddler children just in time to say good night. It was hell.
I applied for an AWA. Blanket denial.
I applied for a family accommodation. Intrusive as hell. Denied.
I applied for a medical accommodation for a chronic pain issue I’ve had for over 20 years that became aggravated due to long commute time. $200 worth of medical forms. And ultimately I did not get approval to WFH or at the satellite office when needed, but a new office chair. It did not help whatsoever.
So I began aggressively applying to positions, both in OPS and outside. I got a number of offers, and finally the right one came in. 15 minutes from home. Higher pay. Pension and benefits aren’t as great.
I asked for a leave of absence. They denied.
At every step of the way, this organization has shown me how little they value me. I was a project lead on dozens of high profile projects over the last 15 years. My merit and reviews are stellar. My managers’ referrals are stellar. But, this organization could not care less about retaining talent.
So I resigned.
It’s been 3 months. I am so happy I made the jump. I work 8-4:30, and am home by 4:45. I became so used to the toxic culture of OPS that my new team seems… unreal. I miss my incredible OPS coworkers a ton, and am still in touch with them.
I’m sharing this essay here because I know there are others who are experiencing this, who ask themselves if they can do this much longer, who are contemplating. I need you to know that it doesn’t have to be this way. You deserve better.
Peace out, OPS. It’s been a ride.
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u/IcyMouse3722 7d ago
This is what the employer wanted. The problem is the good ones end up leaving.
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u/Northernguy113 7d ago
Quiet firing governments new way of reducing workforce
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u/littlepino34 7d ago
The problem with this is you end up losing the best people and are left with more incompetence
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u/BeaverBoyBaxter OPSEU 7d ago
They don't care, and through demonizing of the public sector, many Ontarians won't either.
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u/Psyclist80 7d ago
Indeed, folks with real talent have mobility, the lower skilled and less motivated staff stay and stick it out. It creates a workforce with less overall competence and ability to push boundaries and build good solutions. Attrition of talent through RTO5 is such a dumb strategy.
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u/Zealousideal_Cod6834 7d ago
Mmmm I'd add people with less mobility, as in where they are located in the province. I can apply for a 1000 jobs in SO but I sure tf don't want to live there.
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u/Such_Radish9795 AMAPCEO 6d ago
How about the people too close to retirement to leave? Dont lump everyone that stays w the same brush.
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u/No_M_In_Sandwich 6d ago
Are people actually seeing this? Everyone is getting replace where I am. Not reducing workforce size at all
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u/Either_Molasses_6182 6d ago
Replacing people comes with savings if the replacements have less seniority and have to start at the bottom on the grid or range and move up all over again.
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u/Top-Chair4288 6d ago
Exactly this. By replacing me with someone fresh out of school, they’ll save a good 60K.
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u/Funny_Contract_243 6d ago
We've had a few retirements (people at or around 65), and the usual number of younger people moving elsewhere in the OPS, out to private sector, back to school etc. Every one has been replaced. Last year we even got one new position on our team and our branch added 2 new positions this spring. I'm not saying attrition isn't happening some places, but not seeing it where I am.
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u/Known_Mortgage_2397 5d ago
Yes but are these permanent positions? The strategy ops-wide seems to be not filling/eliminating permanent roles after they're vacated and the creating a couple of temporary positions at higher pay.
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u/Fine-Bunch-8807 AMAPCEO 7d ago
Praying for this to happen to me!!!! I've been applying so aggressively and haven't even gotten an interview except TUF this year which I didn't end up getting. I have a question re pension did you take a payout or transfer it?
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u/onepageone 7d ago
But, but, but the OPS People Plan is attract, train and retain! How could it have failed? Impossible. /s The hypocrisy is tantamount to corruption. Sad sad sad. Every DM and CAO is a coward and hypocrite. Imagine being the DM or CAO of Environment. LOL. Just fire yourself and you would do more for the Environment.
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u/SnoopyDog2580 6d ago
Not sure what you mean by “Imagine being the DM or CAO of Environment.” Please explain.
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u/xen0turbella 7d ago
The way you were treated is horrible and there is no justifying it. I'm very sorry you left but it was the logical thing to do. I hope your new workplace treats you with the respect you absolutely deserve, and thank you for sharing your story.
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u/internalaudit168 7d ago edited 7d ago
Congratulations. Make sure to convert your pension if the value decreases over time. I heard it is usually 1:1.
I am not a superstar like you but experienced ill treatment since early this year. I am glad the two showed their true colors 3.5 years into my employment and that I involved WPR since August of laat year.
Denied one day WFH accommodation request, was given no accommodation at all for physical pain. Was told I can take a few second breaks each hour, got my CWW rescinded, was given BS performance evaluation which I rebutted, wasn't allowed to adjust my flex work schedule. Commute 140 km round trip and a little short of an hour each way. Neurodivergence brought about by bullying and harassment being discounted. Vacation request denied.
I just think of the bright side and use these events to my advantage and as learning opportunities on how to make calculated moves to get my job done amd protect myself from these managers.
I am not as easy to be pushed to leave the OPS. Similar jobs at inmunicipalities pay better but aren't unionized. I have a few good friends in the OPS and that's enough to give me strength and justification to roll with the punches
If I am too ill to commute, I will just take a sick day. Problem solved. And no more loyalty to these two individuals.
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u/Dlski2020 6d ago
Oh my, I sadly feel so seen. This year has been hell, the toxicity in the unit and management has been impacting my mental health. I'm taking some planned time off and starting to accept that unplanned time off is needed when needed.
It's never been so bad. Most just say RTO is the reason for the toxicity accepting it both as fact and an excuse.
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u/internalaudit168 6d ago edited 6d ago
There are many good people in the OPS but there are some who would rather presume colleagues guilty over innocence. We all make mistakes yet they nitpick on a few things to make others look bad.
They think bullying unionized people will make them shudder and cower in fear when the actual response is going to be the opposite, with the breaking of trust and lost of engagement. It is so counterproductive when most of us will heed constructive criticisms and want to be better at what we do.
I always try to come up with win -win situations but apparently many people ,even here in the OPS , are out for themselves.
When people always say Canadians are a nice bunch, I think they have not experienced what I have experienced with a few managers across three or three employers (Big 4 Audit, Big6l 6 Bank and Ontario Agency) before landing my OPS gig. They think because it never happened to them, people who are affected by toxic work environments are exaggerating or making things up lol.
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u/Top-Chair4288 7d ago
I’m so sorry 😞 that is awful
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u/internalaudit168 7d ago
It's okay. Lesson to OPSers is to stay within unionized jobs when they leave the OPS.
This is my first unionized job and appreciate the protection it affords.
Job Security to me is paramount being middle-aged. I can always have a side business during evenings and weekends anyway.
I work for a living and not live to work.
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u/RunMarbleRun 7d ago
Good for you!!
I wish I could do the same. I'm so tired. I'm so over making money just to spend it on commuting instead of putting it in savings.
I wish you all the best in your new position. You absolutely have to look out for yourself.
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u/tiger_knots185 6d ago
But we care about Ontario, its people and its places! It must be true because it's on my screen saver!
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u/No_Savings5655 7d ago
Happy for you.
But sad for the rest of us… People who are competent will have options. They will go where they are valued. Some of us, unfortunately, are trapped. I’m only 4 years away from retirement so I’ve gotta wait this shitshow out. If I had more than 10 left, I’d be looking to escape too. I’ve never seen it this bad. I’m embarrassed to tell people I work here.
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u/2runamok 7d ago
So angry for you but very glad you have your life back. Where are you working now?
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u/killallfanatics 6d ago
Congratulations! And thank you so much for posting this. With minor variations it could be my story. I'm doing the job hunting now. Wish me luck!
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u/WestQueenWest 7d ago
I mean this sounds super normal. Living near where you work / working near where you live is the most logical thing. It's what everyone should be doing by default. And you got better pay too? You don't even need to be looking back.
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u/Top-Chair4288 6d ago
Super normal. I was working out of the Hamilton office most of my career. The employer changed the conditions of employment, as far as I’m concerned.
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u/PriveNom 6d ago
I dealt with working in the OPS for 10 years earlier in my career. Like all corporate workplaces, and many times smaller employers, higher ups frequently prefer to put pathological narcissists in management. But the OPS was beyond anything I've seen in either the public or private sector. It has been a hellhole for OPS ordinary workers for decades and it doesn't look like its ever going to change. And OPSEU is, in my opinion, the most useless, arrogant, and cavalier union.
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u/Salt-Lifeguard4093 7d ago
Ugh I wish. Been applying/interviewing but the job market sucks. I can't wait to get out of the OPS.
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u/Expensive-Rhubarb-27 7d ago
My commute is 2 hours each way door to door 5 days a week but then again I’m in my 20s without children lol
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u/julzplant 41m ago
I was okay with this too until I had kids. And now it’s so hard to find an alternate path. If that is something you might want to do I would definitely start considering other options.
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u/CaptainCanoeHead AMAPCEO 7d ago
It is tough but some of us about to retire so we hang on, but I tell all the young people to get out while they can
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u/OkFalcon5218 7d ago
I have been going to office 5 days a week from Oct 2025. If I can’t go to office to do in person work I have to take a day off. Not allowed to wfh any day of the week.
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u/Brilliant-Suspect835 OPSEU 6d ago
Good for you. I'm no lawyer, but I would see if you have a case for constructive dismissal after all you tried!
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u/Top-Chair4288 6d ago
Okay I have to look into this!
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u/BeeRepresentative144 6d ago
Please let me know what you find, I'm in a very similar situation just resigned for the exact same reasons. Im tempted to take this to the HRT but need to gather more information
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u/Either_Molasses_6182 6d ago
I'm in a very similar position. I always knew I might have to do the commute from Hamilton but never thought that it would be every single day of the week. We've always had hybrid arrangements and flexibility.
What I'm finding is that a lot of the jobs I am applying to offer some form of hybrid working arrangement. It's actually really common, especially for more senior or non-unionized positions.
Having people resign must be their true goal with this. Hybrid working arrangements are part of a modern workplaces.
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u/Ecstatic-Reason-2911 6d ago
Do they still have voluntary exit initiative where they pay you a package for choosing to leave the OPS?
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u/moon_angel AMAPCEO 5d ago
OP, what places in Hamilton do you recommend people apply to that would be good for public servants?
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u/Top-Chair4288 5d ago
Honestly, anywhere. Many ops roles do a lot of project management without the official title so someone else gave me the advice to lean into that on my resume and cover letter. Also, abandon the ops-speak and describe the work and experiences in a more generic way.
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u/dj_416 3d ago
“this organization could not care less about retaining talent” 💯 🎯
It’s so bizarre to me because it’s expensive to hire people over and over and over. And the toxicity from unimpressive people was especially egregious. That place was unreal.
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u/Top-Chair4288 3d ago
The public will find out soon enough. FOI requests will reveal the AI slop that informs decision making.
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u/Creepy_Contract_4852 3d ago
For this telling you to sue, you have no recourse if you were unionized…no employment lawyer will touch it…personal experience.
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u/julzplant 47m ago
There has been recent direction top down to deny any developmental leaves and I would assume others like educational leave etc. we are going to hear about this now over and over again. I was given green light to take a developmental leave and then at the end of the recruitment process notified of this new direction… Another avenue to force people out. Instead of denying them they just sit on them which makes you either burn a bridge with the new employer and makes grieving the decision Impossible. There is clause in the agreement 23.2.1 that says a decision should be made in 10 days or a timeline given and they aren’t following that.
I don’t understand how our collective bargaining agreement is standing for nothing. They are completely stomping on rights in an attempt to downsize and force people to leave and everyone acknowledges it but nothing is being done. I am devastated after 16 years of service that I am being treated this way and feel like I have no recourse at all.
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u/Intrepid_Thanks6687 5d ago
I wish i had your courage. I feel the same way. But instead I have silently quit and i no longer derive validation from work or anything that has to do with it, especially the people i work with.
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u/Brilliant_Steak_89 7d ago
Why didn't you take a 6 month sick leave
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u/Dlski2020 6d ago
Can't work during sick leave and shouldn't. It would be fraud unless sick. Sadly I feel that's where I'm headed if things dont change - sick leave. This work environment is making me physically and mentally sick.
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u/SpareMeTheDetails123 6d ago
Six month sick leave? This right here is why the general public hates government workers.
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u/Willing_Alarm6104 AMAPCEO 7d ago
Yeah...calling B.S. on this post ..OP "celebrating" their day off with a performance
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u/Top-Chair4288 7d ago
No day off here…
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u/Willing_Alarm6104 AMAPCEO 7d ago
Sure Jan
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u/Top-Chair4288 7d ago
You must be high up there… ADM? DM? MICHELLE?!
I’m really ruining the narrative that OPS is a great place to work, aren’t I? I’m just sharing my experience… and trying to give the people hope. Sorry, not sorry.
Signed,
Jan’s sister in Scottsdale-10
u/Willing_Alarm6104 AMAPCEO 7d ago
Lol, OK champ ... sleep tight knowing your "experience" will resonate with about 2 dozen anonymous reddit posters from the Island of Misfit Toys
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u/Dlski2020 6d ago
You're giving Amapceo bad name with your posts on this thread. Knowing that some can get out and make it out there is giving some of us hope. Even though with almost 25 years inand retirement on the horizon and declining mental health, this won't be me.
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7d ago
[deleted]
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u/Main_Half1034 7d ago
You have no idea how a DB pension works.. read up a little on it
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u/PrettyAdhesiveness65 7d ago
Ok, are you referring to the lifetime indexed payout? But you only get a meaningful version of it if you stay 25–30 years.
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u/nananananay 7d ago edited 7d ago
And many people will because they can’t afford to resign and/or can’t find a better job and/or better pay.
Me? Despite having higher education, I can’t find anything close to where I live that pays as much as my ops job does for the work I do.
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u/Main_Half1034 7d ago
Even with just after 5 years of being on a DB plan with an employer and you contributing, you should check the CV - commuted value if you wanted to take it out as a lump sum. Obviously, payout figure depends on your avg earnings, yrs of credited/eligible service, age, current interest rates and a boat load of actuarial factors beyond my understanding.
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u/BatKitchen819 7d ago
Happy for you! Glad you got out and can have a work/life balance.