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Remote work doesn’t suit senior management role: Lefebvre

The hiring of the City of Greater Sudbury’s new director of finance and chief financial officer proved controversial when news broke this week she planned to continue residing in Alberta on a full-time basis despite starting the job last month
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Mayor Paul Lefebvre is seen speaking to local media about the city’s new Chief Financial Officer at Tom Davies Square on Dec. 9.

Remote work only goes so far, Mayor Paul Lefebvre said during a media conference on Friday morning announcing the newly hired Chief Financial Officer is no longer with the city.

The municipality came under fire earlier this week after it became known newly hired city director of finance and CFO Hailey Pinksen would be working remotely on a full-time basis from Alberta.

She started her new role with the city on Nov. 21, and a media release issued by the city on Nov. 18 announcing as much neglected to mention any remote work accommodations.

Although revoking an employment contract will likely carry financial consequences, Lefebvre said it was the right thing to do. He was unable to estimate what the financial toll might be.

“I strongly believe that the successful candidate for this role, because of its importance to our success, should be located in our community, and be part of our community,” he told local media.

“They should be here to share experiences with the CAO, myself, council and other staff.”

During the conference, Lefebvre clarified that the decision doesn’t have anything to do with Pinksen, an “excellent candidate” whose “impressive resume” and talent have not been up for debate.

“This is about what is best for our community and doing what is in our collective interest,” he said.

“I understand the need to have a remote work policy, however, we need to take a balanced approach. One of being a modern employer of choice, but keeping in mind that municipal public service executives should be here, to know and understand the challenges and opportunities before us.”

Approximately 392 of the city’s 2,500 full-time equivalent staff currently work remotely on a permanent basis, be it full or part-time, with some working a hybrid format wherein they also appear in-person.

Earlier this week, city CAO Ed Archer told Sudbury.com that Pinksen travelled to Greater Sudbury at the city’s expense for orientation, as would have been the case with any other employee, and that future travel to and from Alberta would be on her dime. She was expected to be in Greater Sudbury for the city’s annual budget deliberation process, and would have regular contact with staff through technology for the balance of the year.

Pinksen was recently offered an opportunity to retain her position by relocating to Greater Sudbury, but Lefebvre said she declined due to personal reasons.

Although the world is shifting toward employers making more allowances for remote work, Lefebvre said the CFO role is ill-suited for these accommodations.

While the city is only looking at the CFO position at the moment, Lefebvre said a motion will come forward at the Dec. 13 city council meeting seeking to update the city’s Work From Home Program policies. He’s particularly interested in reviewing remote work accommodations made for those in administrative roles. 

City council doesn’t have the power to revoke Pinksen’s employment contract, but Lefebvre said his office worked through city CAO Ed Archer to make it happen. 

With the CFO position open again, Lefebvre said the city’s recruitment panel would be re-engaged to find someone either living in Greater Sudbury or willing to relocate.

Sudbury.com reached out to Pinksen by emailed correspondence, through which she declined comment.

Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.


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Tyler Clarke

About the Author: Tyler Clarke

Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
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