PwC Canada announces vaccine mandate, hybrid work model
PwC Canada has announced a vaccine mandate for its employees as well as an official hybrid work model.
Effective October 1, the Big Four accounting and consulting firm will require all partners, staff, contractors, and visitors to be fully vaccinated when entering a PwC office, subject to applicable legal exemptions. The firm says it will continue to monitor public health recommendations and modify policies as the pandemic evolves.
“The health, well-being, and safety of our colleagues, clients, and communities is our number one priority, and vaccinations have proven to reduce the risk of Covid-19,” said Nicolas Marcoux, CEO of PwC Canada. “Each day, our people make a decision to embody our firm's purpose of building trust and helping solve important problems. It’s an essential time to safely serve our clients, take care of our people, and lead by example as we create our future of work together.”
Canada’s five largest banks have announced they will require employees working from their offices to be fully vaccinated. Several other large Canadian businesses have also announced vaccine mandates, including Shopify and Sun Life Financial.
In the public and nonprofit sector, the Canadian federal government has instated vaccine requirements for its workers, and numerous hospitals and universities have followed suit.
In the US, meanwhile, consulting firms Deloitte and Alvarez & Marsal have instituted vaccine mandates.
According to an April 2021 survey from EY, nearly two-thirds (61%) of Canadian workers want their company to require vaccination of all employees before a return to the physical workplace.
PwC Canada also announced an official policy for hybrid work. The firm said the decision to allow for flex work will enable it to meet the many unique needs of its employees and clients.
“What is important is work done-well, and not where the work is done. PwC Canada will not be mandating a fixed number of days that our people need to be in the office,” said Christopher Dulny, chief innovation officer, PwC Canada. “Our people will be empowered to decide how the hybrid model will work best for them, while balancing client needs and work being delivered.
The firm said it is currently building office prototypes and models for hybrid work that better support “focused activities” and “active collaboration.”
Deloitte Canada also recently announced a hybrid working model for its staff nationwide.
