Elimination of Positions and Employment Continuity

2.0    GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

The University accepts that it has a responsibility to a Continuing Employee who suffers loss of employment as a result of a Departmental reorganization or the elimination of their position. The University will do all that is reasonably possible to find another Administrative and Professional Staff Position for an Employee who has performed well in their position.

3.0    ELIGIBILITY    

This Policy applies to both Full-time Employees and Part-time Employees who are employed in Continuing Positions.

4.0    ENTITLEMENT

4.01     A Continuing Employee whose position is eliminated will be given a minimum of one (1) month's written notice of termination of employment.

4.02     If a Continuing Employee whose position is eliminated is not successful in a position competition under the Procedures set out in Sections 5.01 to 5.03 of this Policy, that Continuing Employee's employment will be terminated at the end of the notice period specified in the written notice. The Continuing Employee will be offered relocation counseling and will, subject to Section 5.06 of the Policy, be given severance pay equivalent to one (1) month's salary for each full year of service to a maximum of eighteen (18) months’ salary.

4.02.01 Effective from Ratification (August 1, 2026), for a period equivalent to the severance period following cessation of employment, the Employee will continue to participate at the employer’s expense, in the health and dental benefits plans, excluding HSA, LTD, AD&D and Life insurance coverage. (For clarity, benefits continuation does not include continued pension contributions.)

5.0    PROCEDURES

5.01     A Continuing Employee whose position is eliminated will be notified, in writing, by their department and will be given the reason(s) why the position is being eliminated. Notice will be given as far in advance as possible; but in no circumstances will it be less than one (1) month.

5.02     A Continuing Employee whose position is eliminated will be informed of the job postings link on the Human Resources website and encouraged to apply for any posting which they believe they may be qualified. The Continuing Employee should review their employment file and résumé with the appropriate HR Advisor in Human Resources to ensure that all appropriate skills, qualifications, and abilities are noted.

5.03     The selection of such a Continuing Employee for another Administrative and Professional Staff Position will be subject to the normal competition process considering past performance, and current qualifications and skills. Once selected, the Continuing Employee will be eligible for up to three months of training in the period from the beginning of the notice period to the date of completion of the first year on the job to assist them in meeting the position requirements. Decisions on required training will be made by the department in which the vacancy exists and the cost of training will be funded centrally. An additional three (3) months’ training may be provided on the joint request of the Continuing Employee and the supervisor and with the approval of the President or the appropriate Vice-President.

5.04     A Continuing Employee who is the successful applicant to an Administrative and Professional Staff Position in a lower salary grade than they currently occupy will not be expected to take a reduction in salary. In such cases the Continuing Employee's salary will be frozen unless or until the position occupied has a Salary Range that is greater than the frozen salary currently received by the Continuing Employee.

5.05     Any movement of a Continuing Employee as a result of a selection process will take effect as soon as the departments involved can make mutually acceptable arrangements.

5.06     A Continuing Employee who refuses a position within one (1) salary grade of their current position will have their employment terminated at the end of the notice period without severance pay.

5.07     If by the end of the notice period, the Continuing Employee has not been selected to fill a vacancy or has refused a position more than one (1) salary grade below their former position then

a. relocation counseling by an external consultant will be offered to the Continuing Employee (at no expense to them), and

b. termination of employment will occur at the end of the notice period and the Continuing Employee will receive severance pay of one (1) month's salary for each full year of service to a maximum of eighteen (18) months’ salary.

5.08     The severance pay will normally be paid out to the person in bi-weekly installments; however, lump sum payments can be arranged if so requested.

5.09     For the twelve (12) month period immediately following the last day of employment, a Continuing Employee whose employment is terminated under Section 5.07 of this Policy

a. will automatically be considered as an Internal Candidate for any Administrative and Professional Staff Position vacancies for which they apply,

b. may elect to carry group Extended Health benefits and dental coverage provided all employer and employee portions of premiums are prepaid by that person.

 

5.10     If a person whose employment is terminated under Section 5.07 of this Policy is re-employed in a Continuing Position within the twelve (12) month period immediately following termination

 

a. severance pay will cease (i.e. bi-weekly installments will end or lump sum payments will be prorated against the length of the absence and any balance will be due to the University), and

 

b. the person's original vacation service date will be restored.

 

5.11     If a person whose employment is terminated under this Policy is re-employed in the Public Sector, they are required to comply with the Employment Termination Standards under the Public Sector Employers Act.

5.12     If an Administrative and Professional Staff Position has been eliminated and the same position is re-established within one year, the displaced incumbent will be offered the position prior to Posting.