“Win a chance at adequate infrastructure!”

The CRTC is offering employees the chance to win the temporary use of private office space in exchange for a charitable donation.

Federal employers who are forcing employees out of the “private office space” of their own homes and requiring employees to spend their time and money on commuting to central locations where employers have failed to provide universally adequate infrastructure are now offering employees the chance to fork over more of their salary for a chance to win access to adequate infrastructure. Federal employers see nothing wrong with this.

Another prize is the chance to cut their director’s tie. Because what do workers want more when donating money for the public good than the pointless destruction of property? I guess it makes sense if employees despise their director and the CRTC figures a little public humiliation is easier for improving morale than addressing the HR issue of a despised director. Otherwise it’s an out-of-touch choice for encouraging the redistribution of wealth. “Let them cut silk.”

An office worker quoted in the article suggests a parking space as a better lottery prize and even that’s depressing. You know what used to be an actual perk of a federal job? A discount on a bus pass, in recognition of the facts that (1) employers were imposing commuting costs on employees and (2) climate catastrophe is best prevented. They cut that employment perk, and they cut the tax break for monthly bus passes. Gotta keep people buying cars and gas (and of course sandwiches).

Here are some other ideas for how federal employers can turn their failure to provide adequate infrastructure into cash:

“Win a chance at an office temperature that doesn’t turn your fingernails purple!”

“Win a chance at a bathroom where there’s soap that doesn’t stink and a toilet that doesn’t overflow!”

“Win a chance at an office space that doesn’t have bats or rats or lead or asbestos!”

“Win a chance at ventilation that keeps CO2 levels below where cognitive impairment and contagion are a concern!”

I suppose employees are expected to be grateful that employers came up with a lottery rather than a death match.

It remains up to employees and unions to deliver an unequivocal no to being treated this poorly.