You won't believe what our public servants are doing now
Okay, so I just saw a memo — no, not a real memo, but a news report about one, which is essentially the same thing when you live in the capital — and it seems like the federal government is going back to assigned seating for most public servants. *Assigned seating!* This is not a drill, people. After years of the "hoteling" model, where you booked a desk like it was a hotel room, apparently, we're returning to the good old days of knowing exactly which ergonomic chair is yours. I mean, I can already hear the collective sigh of relief from Centretown to Tunney's Pasture. The real story is never on the Hill — it's always just off it.
This is peak Ottawa, non? We had the big, bold experiment with flexible workspaces, everyone trying to look modern and innovative, and now we’re just… quietly retreating. It’s like when the city tried to make Sparks Street a pedestrian mall in the 70s and then decided, "Eh, maybe not." This isn't just about chairs; it's about the fabric of our city. Think of the coffee runs! The unspoken rituals of who gets the desk by the window overlooking the Parliament buildings versus the one facing the wall. It’s a return to stability in a world that, frankly, could use a little more of it.
### What This Means for Ottawa
* **Routine is back:** For those who thrive on routine, this is a win. No more navigating complex booking systems before your morning double-double from Bridgehead. * **Neighborhood impact:** Expect your local coffee shops and shawarma spots around government buildings on Elgin and Slater to see more predictable lunch rushes. People might actually *walk* to work knowing their desk is waiting. * **The unspoken hierarchy:** Let's be real, some desks are better than others. The jockeying for position will return, just in a more permanent, Ottawa-polite way.
Honestly, this feels like the city collectively deciding, "You know what? We tried. Let's just go back to what works." It’s practical, it's efficient, and it’s very, very Ottawa. It’s like the city itself just wants to get its work done without too much fuss.
Simone Okafor-Bouchard, MiTL Sports Desk.
You know Keith and the crew are having a field day with this one — catch their take live at mornings.live.