Policy Statement
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has designated the following priority considerations and alternate staffing methods for use by departments/agencies: accommodation, bumping, recall, reclassification and transfer.
Application
This policy applies to all organizations specified in Schedule A of the Public Service Commission Act, and to positions in those organizations not otherwise excluded by Section 4 thereof.
Definitions
For the purpose of this policy:
Accommodation – a temporary or permanent adjustment to working conditions, work assignments, policies, rules, practices, programs or the physical work environment to address an employee’s current or potential employment needs arising from a disability which is supported by medical documentation. An accommodation may include providing services, adaptations, adjustments, modifying duties or job transfers that enable individuals who meet job qualifications to participate in employment and employment–related activities.
Bumping – is a collective agreement provision which allows for the more senior workers who have been laid off to displace less senior employees. Please refer to the relevant collective agreement for further information.
Recall – employees who have been laid off may be recalled without competition into the same or a lower level position provided the position does not exceed 13 weeks duration in total. If the position exceeds 13 weeks, the position must be advertised. The requirement to advertise shall only be waived if the employee being recalled has previously been awarded employment at the same pay level or higher through a merit-based selection process. Please refer to the relevant collective agreement for further information.
Reclassification – a classification review resulting in a change in a position’s classification and/or pay level due to gradual changes in job duties naturally occurring over time and does not result in the promotion from one occupational category to another. Promotions as a result of a reclassification that do not satisfy these restrictions require PSC approval.
Transfer – subject to PSC approval, the competitive process may be waived where there is a request from a permanent employee to transfer laterally into a vacant position which does not result in a promotion or demotion. Bargaining unit employees should consult their respective collective agreement and where there is a conflict, the collective agreement shall prevail.
Roles and Responsibilities
Department/Agency
It is the responsibility of the department/agency to:
- consider the appropriate priority considerations and alternate staffing methods to apply to fill the vacancy;
- obtain PSC concurrence of employee eligibility for consideration when required;
- obtain appropriate documentation in support of a request for accommodation;
- refer to the applicable collective agreements if required; and
- ensure eligible employees are provided with appropriate information and supports, such as the Employee Assistance Program.
Public Service Commission
The Commission shall:
- consider requests for priority considerations and alternate staffing methods and issue approvals where appropriate;
- monitor and audit to ensure compliance with this policy;
- provide guidance and interpretation of this policy; and
- adjudicate complaints related to the application of this policy pursuant to the Public Service Commission Act.