Classification modernization for the EC group

Questions

General

1. Why is the Government of Canada modernizing the classification system?
2. Why are employees who are currently classified under the ES and SI standards being converted to a new EC standard?  Why is the EC group being targeted rather than other groups?
3. Who will be affected by the new EC conversion?
4. How many employees will be affected by EC conversion?
5. What are the basic steps to be undertaken during the conversion?
6. What is the role of the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer versus that of departments/agencies?
7. Where are we at in the process?
8. When will the conversion come into force?
9. What role are unions playing in the classification conversion?
10. Currently the minimum educational requirements differ for the ES and SI qualification standards (i.e. ES requires a university degree and SI requires two years of post-secondary school).  Is the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer addressing thisissue?
11. What is conversion?
12. What is the difference between reclassification and classification conversion?

For managers

1. What are the requirements that managers must perform throughout this process?
2. What tools are available for informing staff about the conversion?
3. Should the EC equivalent level be included on staffing posters?
4. How will positions for the ES development program be affected during the conversion?

For employees

1. What will be the impact on individual employees once thenew EC standard comes into force?
2. Are employees’ salaries protected during a conversion to a new classification standard?
3. How will this affect my career prospects?
4. Will I have a new job description? And if so, when will I see it?
5. How will I learn about the collective bargaining?
6. What is the difference between Advanced Personal Notification (APN) and Official Personal Notification (OPN)?

Answers

General

Why is the Government of Canada modernizing the classification system?

Classification modernization is part of a broader agenda to strengthen and modernize the public service, with the goal of making it one of the top ten employers in Canada. As such, classification modernization will help recruit and retain the skilled employees needed to serve Canadians in the years ahead, and provide a foundation for improving people management in the core public administration.

Modernizing the federal classification system to better reflect modern workplace values is essential. We need a modern classification system that is capable of measuring the work performed today, treats men and women equitably, and provides a solid foundation on which to build a flexible compensation system that is more responsive to external labour markets.

Why are employees who are currently classified under the ES and SI standards being converted to a new EC standard?  Why is the EC group being targeted rather than other groups?

Employees whose positions are classified using the ES and SI classification standard belong to the EC occupational group.  Under the government’s classification modernization program, new classification standards are to be developed on a group by group basis for each of the 30 occupational groups.  The EC occupational group, along with the FS, FB, CS and PA groups, was identified as an early candidate for modernization.  FS and FB positions have been converted using new standards and EC will be the next conversion.

Who will be affected by the new EC conversion?

Employees currently occupying positions classified using the ES and SI classification standards will be affected.

Q4.  How many employees will be affected by EC conversion?

Approximately 13,000 employees.

What are the basic steps to be undertaken during the conversion?

Departments must undertake the following activities to prepare for the EC classification conversion:

• Review and where necessary, update current ES and SI work descriptions
• Evaluate all ES and SI encumbered positions with the new EC standard
• Submit evaluation results to the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) via the EC data cube
• Conduct an internal and external relativity analysis of their EC evaluation results
• Ensure that an HR information system is assembled and be ready to issue the Advanced Personal Notifications (APNs)
• As directed by the OCHRO, issue APNs
• As directed by the OCHRO, issue Official Personal Notifications (OPNs)
• Convert all ES and SI positions to EC positions effective June 22, 2009

What is the role of the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer versus that of departments/agencies?

The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer is responsible for providing coherence and direction on all questions related to human resources in the public service.  We provide departments and agencies with leadership, service, and assistance in maintaining integrity during public service renewal – in this context, during classification modernization.

Where are we at in the process?

The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) is currently analyzing the data and working with departments to address issues in the data and preparing for departments to issue OPN the week of June 15, 2009.

When will the conversion come into force?

The EC Collective Agreement was signed March 11, 2009. Conversion to EC will be effective June 22, 2009.

What role are unions playing in the classification conversion?

The national component of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) is very supportive and participated on the Interdepartmental EC Committee.

Currently the minimum educational requirements differ for the ES and SI qualification standards (i.e. ES requires a university degree and SI requires two years of post-secondary school).  Is the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer addressing this issue?

A new Qualification Standard was approved and will be effective June 22, 2009

What is conversion?

Conversion is a process by which an existing position has been evaluated using a new classification standard. Employees currently classified under the SI and ES classification standards will be converted to a new EC classification level. Pay rates for the new EC classification levels are determined through collective bargaining.

What is the difference between reclassification and classification conversion?

The reclassification of a position occurs when the evaluation of its work description results in a change to either or both its occupational group and level due to a significant change in the work assigned to it. Reclassification may be upward, if the work becomes more demanding, or downward, if the work becomes less demanding.

A classification conversion occurs when a change is made in the method of establishing the relative value of work for an occupational group resulting in a new pay structure.

For managers

What are the requirements that managers must perform throughout this process?

Departments/agencies would respond according to their specific needs which might include, e.g., updating work descriptions, obtaining training, participating on evaluation committees, and keeping employees informed.

What tools are available for informing staff about the conversion?

In consultation with their HR advisors, departments/agencies could use EC Conversion presentations, email updates, information on their Web site or links to the Agency’s site, and any other departmental tools.

Should the EC equivalent level be included on the staffing posters?

As suggested at a National Staffing Council meeting in the spring of 2008, a notation could be included on current processes for ES and SI positions as follows:

If you are 100% certain that the position(s) being staffed will be converted to EC, the notation on the poster could indicate – "Please note that this position will be converted to the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) Group on June 22, 2009. As a result, this position will be classified as EC (with the level)

If you are not 100% certain that the position being staffed will be converted to EC, the notation on the poster could indicate – "Please note that positions currently classified as ES or SI are subject to a classification conversion to the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) Group on June 22, 2009. As a result, the classification of this position may change to EC"

How will positions for the ES development program be affected during the conversion?

Like all ES positions, they will be evaluated using the new EC standard and be converted to EC positions.

For employees

What will be the impact on individual employees once the new EC standard comes into force?

Once implemented, employees currently classified under the SI and ES classification standards will be converted to a new EC classification level.  Pay rates for the new EC classification levels were determined through collective bargaining.

Are employees’ salaries protected during a conversion to a new classification standard?

Yes. For more information on salary treatment at a conversion to a new classification standard.

How will this affect my career prospects?

We expect that the conversion to a single group will allow for greater mobility for EC employees.

Will I have a new job description? And if so, when will I see it?

Departments/agencies should supply this information.

How will I learn about the collective bargaining?

Please refer to The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) website

What is the difference between Advanced Personal Notification (APN) and Official Personal Notification (OPN)?

Advanced Personal Notification provides the employee with the proposed level of the position prior to the ratification of a tentative new collective agreement. Official Personal Notification normally takes place following the signing of a new collective agreement and is the formal notification to employees of the converted classification of their position and provides classification grievance rights.