Quebec public sector absenteeism rises to 6.37% as costs near $250 million
Quebec public sector absenteeism rose from 5.38% in 2023–24 to 6.37% in 2025–26, driving costs to $249.98M and prompting calls for urgent action.
A steady increase in Quebec public sector absenteeism recorded by the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor has alarmed labour representatives and government officials alike. The overall absenteeism rate climbed from 5.38% in 2023–24 to 6.37% in 2025–26, according to the treasury secretariat’s latest figures. Unions attribute the trend to budget cuts and heavier workloads, while the government cites multiple contributing factors.
Absenteeism climbs across ministries
The Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor has signaled concern about growing absenteeism and has asked ministries and agencies to implement measures to reduce the rate. The rise to 6.37% is framed by officials as the outcome of several interlinked causes rather than a single driver. Union leaders, however, argue the pattern is consistent with sustained staffing reductions and rising work demands.
The increase is unfolding alongside a broader shift in public service operations, including changes in work arrangements and resource allocations. Departments have been asked to review local conditions and deploy targeted actions to curb absences and support staff. The unfolding debate centers on how much of the increase is preventable through changes in management and supports.
CNESST absenteeism rose between December and March
At the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), absenteeism rose from 6.5% on December 31, 2025 to 6.9% on March 31, 2026. The CNESST increase over just three months has sharpened concern because the agency is responsible for occupational health and safety matters. Observers note the spike coincides with budgetary constraints and a broader push to restore in-person work.
Staff at the CNESST and other agencies report heavier caseloads and operational pressure, and some union members say colleagues are leaving because they are no longer able to sustain the workload. That reported staff attrition adds operational strain, which can feed further absences as remaining employees cover additional tasks.
Union survey points to cancelled breaks and high pace
A recent survey carried out by the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ) among nearly 4,600 members found worrying workplace indicators. Among CNESST respondents, 55% said they fall behind in their work, 71% described working at a high pace, and 46% said they could not take their breaks. The union has not yet released full methodological details for the poll, making external assessment of sampling and margin of error impossible for now.
Frédérick Dagenais, the SFPQ regional president for Centre-du-Québec, Estrie and Mauricie, warned that workload growth and eliminated positions have eroded staff capacity. Union leaders say the combination of fewer employees and more demands has produced chronic overwork that is manifesting in higher absenteeism.
Treasury Secretariat points to several contributing factors
The Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor has emphasized that the increase in absenteeism is explained by “a set of interrelated factors” and cannot be ascribed to one cause. In public comments last December, Secretary Danièle Cantin suggested elements such as telework adjustments and “digital fatigue” have also played a role. The secretariat’s written statement to media said ministries have been notified and urged to deploy suitable actions to reduce absences.
Officials have framed the response around localized interventions, prevention measures and monitoring, but they stop short of linking absenteeism directly to recent staffing reductions. That stance has not satisfied union representatives, who say the scale and pace of job cuts are plainly correlated with workplace stress and diminished service capacity.
Financial impact rises sharply to nearly $250 million
The cost of absenteeism to the provincial treasury has risen substantially in recent years, according to the secretariat’s accounting. Expenditures tied to absenteeism climbed from $173.03 million in 2022–23 to $249.98 million in 2025–26, an increase of roughly 44%. The higher bill includes payments related to disability and the operational costs associated with managing absences, as well as expenses for subcontracted services used to fill gaps.
Union officials argue that eliminating positions to save money can backfire when increased absences and subcontracting costs are factored in. “Savings achieved by cutting posts are offset when people are on disability and services must be outsourced,” one union spokesperson said, arguing the measures amount to short-term economies that undermine long-term efficiency.
Planned job cuts and workplace supports under scrutiny
The provincial government plans to abolish an additional 3,000 public service positions by 2027, a target that has intensified debate about the sustainability of current staffing levels. The CNESST and other agencies say they are rolling out supports designed to protect employee health, including prevention tools and assistance programs. Officials say staff wellbeing remains a priority and that they are developing and innovating supports to promote health at work.
Unions remain skeptical about whether these measures will be sufficient while staffing targets are reduced further. Both labour representatives and government bodies agree on the need for a closer look at how workload distribution, prevention programming and staffing choices interact to influence absenteeism and service delivery.
The rise in Quebec public sector absenteeism has fiscal and operational consequences that risk affecting program delivery across ministries and agencies. With nearly $250 million in associated costs and further workforce reductions scheduled, the coming months will be critical for whether implemented measures can reverse the trend and restore stability for public servants and the services they provide.
