Announcements Archive
Simon Fraser University and TSSU collaborate to recognize the important contributions of research assistants at SFU
On November 15, 2019, Simon Fraser University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) agreed to make research assistants employees of the University and voluntarily recognize them as members of TSSU. This agreement was made to recognize the valuable contributions and important role research assistants play in advancing SFU’s research mission. It was signed by Sandi de Domenico, SFU’s associate vice-president, human resources, and Derek Sahota, TSSU’s member advocate on behalf of the Research is Work organizing team, and was endorsed by Jeff Derksen, dean and associate provost, graduate and postdoctoral studies; Joy Johnson, vice-president, research and international; Dugan O'Neil, associate vice-president, research; and Jonathan Driver, vice-president academic and provost pro tem. For more information, click here.
New 2019 CUPE Sick Leave Protocol
We are delighted to announce that the 2019 CUPE Sick Leave Protocol was ratified with a Yes vote of 97.7%.
Members from CUPE 3338, CUPE National and Human Resources have been working since Fall 2018 to create this new protocol to support the wellness and recovery of SFU employees. The newly-ratified protocol went live in late Fall 2019 as a pilot project running to the expiry of the next CUPE Collective Agreement.
Our Wellness & Recovery team has prepared a comprehensive package of materials to answer any questions you may have and simplify the transition to this new protocol. These documents, including the protocol agreement and a Q&A outlining key changes and examples, will be available off the main HR web page. For more information, click here.
New Talent Acquisition System
Human Resources is excited to announce that we have launched a new talent acquisition system, Taleo. This system replaces the current method of applying for posted staff jobs via email.
We encourage you to take a look at our new SFU Careers Centre for staff positions by clicking here. Some highlights of the new system include:
- Enhanced candidate experience,
- Ability to apply online and sign up to receive alerts of new job postings,
- The ability to apply through a mobile device, and
- Jobs will be posted on any working day of the week, no longer just Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you require support, have general inquiries or would like to provide feedback related to the new talent acquisition system, please contact: hr-recruit@sfu.ca.
Leaders That Inspire
Mikhail Dzuba has been a leader at SFU for the past 24 years. He is currently Director of the Bookstore, Spirit Shop and Document Solutions. We sat down with Mikhail to talk about his leadership journey, and this is what he shared.
JOIN US IN A 30 DAY MINDFULNESS CHALLENGE!
You are invited to participate in a 30 day on-line Mindfulness Challenge which will launch on May 7th as part of Canada’s Mental Health Week. This invitation is open to all CUPE, APSA, APEX and Poly Party employees. For more information and to register click here.
Sick Leave Information for SFUFA Members
Attention SFUFA Members: Sick leave application and sick leave administration have changed under the new SFUFA Collective Agreement. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these changes by going to the “Health Promotion, Return to Work, Disability, Sick Leave” section in the human-resources/faculty website and by reading the Sick Leave Information for SFUFA Members info-sheet and corresponding flow chart.
SFU'S Wilfrid Lok, Human Resources Assistant
NEW Sick Leave Protocol for CUPE Members
Attention CUPE Members: On October 1, 2017, a new protocol for Application and Operation of Sick Leave Aggregation (Article 35.02(b)) will come into effect. Please familiarize yourself with the Protocol and attend the information sessions.
Tips to Creating a Healthy Workplace
Learn more about Preparing for the New Year: Maintaining Your Mental Health.
Get the November 2017 edition of Vitality, an EFAP Newsletter for Program Administrators and Supervisors.
ePAR
The Status Change ePAR is now live! As of January 16, 2017, all changes in employment status that used to be on the paper Separation Notice or Extended Leave of Absence Without Pay requests are to be submitted online using ePAR. Please click here for additional information. This is the 2nd phase of our ePAR project.
The 1st phase went live on June 20, 2016 with all Temporary Pool requests that used to be on the paper PAR are submitted online using ePAR. Please click here for additional information.
Performance Development Program
Implementation of the SFU Performance Development Program was completed for the majority of staff in Spring 2016. Please click here for Performance Development Program information and resources.
Sick Leave Information
Sick Leave information for 2016 is now available in myInfo.ca and we encourage you to review your employee’s sick leave report for all continuing CUPE, APSA and Excluded staff. For more information click here. For the Attendance Management Guidelines (AMG) and resources please click here.
Submit Drug Claims Online
Members can now submit prescription drug claims online. This new feature in CARESnet provides added convenience and faster payments. Please click here for additional information.
DIABETES TEST STRIPS COVERAGE AND LIMITS
Please click here for information regarding changes to Reasonable & Customary limits, effective January 1, 2015.
2015 RRSP Contribution Deadline
The 2015 deadline for RRSP contributions is February 29, 2016. Please click here for more information regarding RRSPs.
If you have a Sun Life RRSP and want to make a lump sum contribution, please complete the Lump Sum Contribution Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque.
If you want to make a lump sum contribution but are not currently enrolled in a Sun Life RRSP, please complete the RRSP Enrolment Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque.
Please note that if you want to start payroll deductions, please provide a copy of your enrolment form, with Section 6 (contribution per pay) completed, to Human Resources.
TSSU/RA Benefit Information & Sign-up Session Spring 2016
If you have any questions about your benefits and/or if you have not yet enrolled in the TSSU/RA benefit plans, please feel free to attend TA/TM Day on January 8, 2016 (to be held at the DAC) or the 30 minute information session on January 13, 2016 starting promptlly at 10:00am in Halpern Rm 111.
2014 Employee Benefit Statements
Employee Benefit Statements are now available online. To make changes to dependent or beneficiary information, please use the following forms, as required:
Paramedical Coverage and Limits
Please click here for information regarding changes to Reasonable & Customary limits, effective October 1, 2013.
2014 RRSP Contribution Deadline
Just a reminder that the 2014 deadline for RRSP contributions is March 2, 2015.
If you have a Sun Life RRSP and want to make a lump sum contribution, please complete the Lump Sum Contribution Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque.
If you want to make a lump sum contribution but are not currently enrolled in a Sun Life RRSP, please complete the RRSP Enrolment Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque.
Please note that if you want to start payroll deductions, please provide a copy of your enrolment form, with Section 6 (contribution per pay) completed, to Human Resources.
Filing Deadline for 2013 Extended Health Claims
A reminder that you must submit any claims incurred during 2013 to Pacific Blue Cross by June 30, 2014. Claims received by Pacific Blue Cross after June 30, 2014 relating to 2013 claims will not be paid.
Investment and Retirement Planning Seminar
This educational seminar was held on April 30th. If you would like a copy of the presentation slides, please send an email request to Diana Almeida at dalmeida@sfu.ca.
CARESnet Temporary Service Suspension - March 27 to April 3, 2014.
Please click here for information on submitting e-Claims.
2013 RRSP Contribution Deadline
Just a reminder that the 2013 deadline for RRSP contributions is March 3, 2014.
If you have a Sun Life RRSP and want to make a lump sum contribution, please complete the Lump Sum Contribution Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque.
If you want to make a lump sum contribution but are not currently enrolled in a Sun Life RRSP, please complete the RRSP Enrolment Form and mail it directly to Sun Life along with your contribution cheque. Please note that if you want to start payroll deductions, please provide a copy of your enrolment form, with Section 6 (contribution per pay) completed, to Human Resources.
Filing Deadline for 2012 Extended Health Claims
A reminder that you must submit any claims incurred during 2012 to Pacific Blue Cross by June 30, 2013. Claims received by Pacific Blue Cross after June 30, 2013 relating to 2012 claims will not be paid.
Investment Fund Changes
Please see the attached brochures regarding information on changes to the investment options for the Group RRSP, TFSA, LIF and RRIF.
Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar
This one-day seminar will be held at Blusson Hall 9660 on April 24th from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Please click here for the agenda.
Please see below for presentations:
Faculty Pre-Retirement Session
Rajeev Sharma, an Education Specialist with Sun Life Financial made a presentation on Monday, March 26, 2012 to Faculty on "Retirement Income Options using your SFU Group LIF/RRIF". Click here to watch the video of the session, and click here to review the presentation slides.
2012 Employee Benefit Statements
Employee Benefit statements are now available online. To make changes to dependent or beneficiary information, please use the following forms, as required:
Changes to Extended Health Care Claims
CARESnet provides Pacific Blue Cross members with secure online access to benefits information 24 hours a day. We have enhanced CARESnet to include access to dental information. Now, in addition to giving members access to their health information, customers can access information on their dental plans and claims. More and more members rely on CARESnet to access information about their Blue Cross benefit plans. We encourage you to utilize this valuable service.
Pacific Blue Cross is committed to finding innovative ways to provide better service for our customers and we are continuing to develop additional enhancements to our Web-based technology service solutions. To register for CARESnet or to take an online tour, visit the PBC website at www.pac.bluecross.ca. If you have any questions or require more information, contact Pacific Blue Cross.
PBC E-Claims Coming January 1, 2011
We are pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2011, electronic claim submission will be available through CARESnet, Pacific Blue Cross secure self-service website for plan members.
To file an electronic claim, you must first be enrolled for direct deposit and electronic claim statements." CARESnet will first guide you through enrolment and then through the process of submitting claims for your vision care, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and message therapy expenses.
For certain claims, Pacific Blue Cross may require you to submit additional information or supporting documentation before processing your eClaim. Additionally, your eClaim may be elected for receipt verification where you will be required to submit receipts before your eClaim is processed.
Pacific Blue Cross will continue to require paper submissions for certain Extended Health Benefit claims.
Canada Pension Plan Changes now in Effect
Several changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) that were previously announced have now become law. These changes do not impact anyone currently receiving a CPP pension benefit or who will start their CPP pension in 2011.
Here’s an overview of the changes, many of which will be gradually phased in.
Changes to Early and Late Retirement Rules
Currently, CPP benefits are reduced by 6% for each year you begin your pension before age sixty-five and increase by 6% for each year that you commence your pension after age 65. These increases or reductions are designed to reflect the shorter (or longer) payout times associated with beginning your pension after or before the normal retirement age of 65.
Under the new rules, pension benefits will be reduced by 7.2% (versus the current 6%) for each year you begin your pension before age 65. It is being phased in over a five year time period beginning in 2012, and will allow many people to take advantage of the phased in retirement provisions before the full impact of these greater reductions take effect.
The pension increase for delaying your CPP benefit start date until after age 65 goes from 6% a year to 8.4% a year, phased in over three years beginning in 2011. This means that someone who delays the commencement of their CPP benefit until age 70 (the maximum age you can begin) will receive a pension that’s 42% higher than they would have received at age 65.
Removal of Work Cessation Test for CPP before age 65
Currently, to apply for CPP benefits from age 60 to 64, you must have either stopped working before your CPP retirement benefit begins, or have earnings less than the current monthly maximum CPP retirement pension benefit.
Under the new rules that take effect in 2012, you can start receiving your CPP benefits after age 60 without any requirement to stop working or significantly curtail work. In addition, if you are under age 65, both you and your employer will continue to contribute to the CPP to accrue your pension while you are receiving the CPP benefit. These continued contributions are optional after age 65. These new rules are designed for people who want to ease into retirement, but still want to maintain a certain level of income.
Increase in General Low Earnings Dropout
When the Federal Government calculates your CPP benefit, they adjust the calculation to allow for a “dropout” of certain periods of low or no income. In addition, they apply other “dropout” provisions such as child rearing and for periods spent receiving a CPP disability benefit. When these periods are excluded there is the potential to increase your monthly CPP benefit up to the maximum amount.
Currently, the general “dropout” provision is 15% of the years where your earnings are low or nil. For example, if you take your benefits at age 65, your CPP benefit calculation will drop almost seven years of low or zero earnings.
Under the new rules, the general “dropout” provision will increase to 16% in 2012 and 17% in 2014. This will allow a maximum of almost 7.5 years of low or zero earnings to be dropped in the CPP benefit calculation for years 2012 to 2013 and 8 years of low or zero earnings to be dropped starting in 2014.
These changes may increase your CPP benefit, especially if you have multiple years of low or no income because you immigrated to Canada and entered the workforce late, spent extended time in school, cared for family members or any other reason.
Courtesy of Sun Life Financial
Important Updates to Your Investments
Please click here for information on Group RRSP/ TFSA/ NREG investment fee changes.