Bill 990: An Act to amend the Act respecting labour standards in order to regulate telework

This bill directly affects Quebec employers across virtually every office-based or hybrid industry — think accounting firms, tech companies, marketing agencies, call centres, and professional services — who have staff working remotely any portion of the week. Employers must negotiate a telework plan with each employee or union, reimburse at least 50% of necessary expenses (like internet and ergonomic equipment) when an employee chooses to telework, and 100% when the employer requires it as a condition of hiring. They must also draft and publish a formal telework policy covering topics like the right to disconnect and domestic violence accommodations — an added administrative task even for small teams. Remote monitoring tools used to track or manage employees working from home are prohibited, which will require some businesses to rethink how they oversee productivity and attendance.