Before heading off on holidays, have you taken note of these year-end items?

Paid leave – Christmas closure

AD 10.08

Once again, the University will be closed from December 25 - January 1. Continuing members will be paid for December 25 - January 1. Temporary members will be paid for December 25 - January 1 if the last day of your temporary appointment is after Christmas closure.

Use your Professional Development Expense Reimbursement

AD 10.11

Professional development reimbursement is a negotiated benefit of $700 per year, up to a maximum carry forward of $3,500.

If you are eligible, claims must arrive by December 31 to Human Resources to be eligible for that calendar year. Any claims arriving after December 31 will be processed in 2022. Please note that due to COVID-19, there have been changes to reflect the needs of APSA members (See SFU Staff and faculty FAQs and click on How will APSA or APEX professional development funds support remote learning and development?). 

Professional development funds can be used for equipment that will enhance an employee’s online learning experience. Employees are encouraged to explore the many virtual learning opportunities available at this time. Current professional development policies and collective agreement language remain in effect. However, temporary changes have been made to the Human Resources guidelines regarding reimbursement of professional development funds for APSA/ APEX employees.

For the period of March 2020 - December 31, 2021, the purchase of peripheral equipment to support at-home learning will be permitted, including microphones, headsets, noise-cancelling headphones, webcams (for video for online sessions), keyboards/mice, and additional monitors up to 27”. In addition, the three-year restriction on the purchase of a computer/laptop/iPad/tablet has been temporarily removed, allowing for the purchase of items in this category within three years. Completed forms and receipts can now also be submitted by email.

Expense forms and an eligible item list can be found on the Support for Learning web page.

To find the balance in your professional development account, go to https://pdr.its.sfu.ca/.

Defer unused vacation time

AD 10.08

Section 5.07: “…an employee’s full Vacation Entitlement for a given annual Payroll year may be deferred for one year but must be taken in the next annual Payroll year. Where an employee is unable to take the deferred vacation entitlement in the next annual Payroll year, the deferred vacation will be paid out.”

Please be advised that “off the books” vacation or verbal agreements made with your supervisor about carrying over additional vacation days are outside of the AD 10 policies and may not be honoured.

Vacation entitlement balance: log in to https://myinfo.sfu.ca.

 

Help during the holidays

Free, 24/7 counselling services are available through the Employee Family and Assistance Program (EFAP).

Call Homewood Solutions at 1-800-663-1142 to set up a face-to-face, over the phone or online counselling appointment.

The program is available to you, your spouse and dependents.