Each month, our Advocacy Committee answers your questions about the AD 10 policies (aka, your terms and conditions of employment.)
Hello, I’m Andrew Boden, APSA’s Executive Director and an advocate on our Advocacy Committee. I’m answering your questions related to our AD 10 policies. Questions? Submit them anonymously here. These questions will be answered in a future monthly advocacy corner issue. For an immediate answer, please contact us. Your call or email is confidential.
Will our wages go down to what they were in 2019 since the 2% wage increase agreement is from 2019-2021?
There is no loss of the step increases for APSA members with satisfactory performance. Our understanding is that SFU will calculate your 2% wage increases based on your salary for July 2019-June 30, 2020, July 2020-June 30, 2021 and July 2021 to present. In short, you should see an increase in your salary.
I am confused looking at the APSA salary scale. Does that mean salary increases each year? Bargaining communications state that a 2% increase will be paid retroactively. When can that be anticipated?
APSA salaries have grades and steps. If your performance is satisfactory, you will receive an annual step increase up until step 8 of the salary grade for your position. Your salary then stays at step 8 (there are no steps beyond grade 8), and from then on, you will only receive general wage increases agreed to in bargaining (unless, of course, you take on work at SFU with a higher salary grade). Unfortunately, we can’t give you a date when you will receive your general wage increase. That will depend on the arbitrator’s time to assess the merits of the arbitration and how quickly SFU payroll can roll out the general wage increases. Please do call us if you have any specific questions.
Employees have been encouraged to speak with their supervisors regarding hybrid work arrangements due to our varying needs. What do we do if we have been told there will be zero considerations for hybrid, and how do we deal with the inequity of those who have been granted hybrid while others are working on campus full-time?
I recommend speaking again to your supervisor, outlining the benefits of hybrid work as well as how this helps achieve operational objectives for your department. You can also ask if your department can take part in the SFU test and learn program. Your supervisor or department will have to contact their HR Business Partner for more information. If you are still facing difficulties, please get in touch with the APSA office. Do keep in mind that the situation is evolving, and APSA is working on your behalf to encourage SFU to develop a hybrid work policy that will work for everyone.
Can sick leave be applied for someone who wants to take time off to work on increasing their mental health wellbeing? If so, how do we talk to our supervisor to take a leave for about a week? What if this isn’t a long-term illness being treated by my doctor?
Your health includes your mental health, so you may take sick leave for your mental wellbeing. If you plan to take sick days for longer than 21 hours or three days, you will need to provide a doctor’s note similar to a physical illness. The note should only be sent to SFU Wellness and Recovery office and not to your supervisor; your confidential medical information should never be given to your supervisor or anyone else not in the Wellness and Recovery office. You can then inform your supervisor that you will be taking sick days. Please get in touch with us for more specific details should you need them.
Thank you for addressing Temp Sick Leave. But can you help me understand how it’s helpful if you try and go back for a day to get caught up, but you feel terrible again the next day, but now you’re supposed to power through three weeks?
APSA advises that temporary employees stay on sick leave until they’re sure they are well. We understand that the nature of your work makes you feel that you need to get caught up on several items, but the current policy does not give you the ability to be flexible as a temporary staff member. Both SFU and APSA are encouraging you to take time to be well. SFU has included this in their communicable diseases plan.