CD 2011-008

Subject: Retention Allowance for AS-02 Compensation Advisors - Program and Administrative Services (PA) Group

June 2, 2011 Updated November 17, 2011

1. Purpose

1.1. The purpose of this directive is to provide information regarding a retention allowance payable to AS-02 compensation advisors in the Program and Administrative Services (PA) group, effective June 21, 2011.

2. Background

2.1. The new collective agreement for the PA group was signed between the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on March 1, 2011.

2.2. In an effort to resolve retention problems, an annual allowance in the amount of $2,000 is payable to employees in the PA group (Bargaining Unit Designator (BUD) code 30100) for the performance of compensation and benefit duties at the AS-02 level.

3. Policy

3.1. In accordance with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) under Appendix J of the collective agreement, employees are entitled to receive a daily amount of $7.67 for each calendar day for which the employee is paid as an AS-02 compensation advisor, in accordance with Appendix A of the collective agreement.

The allowance will be paid biweekly, including the pay period plus (PP+).

The allowance is payable only for the duration of the collective agreement. Consequently, the allowance will commence effective June 21, 2011, and cease on June 20, 2014.

3.2. The allowance is payable to eligible employees occupying a position at the AS-02 level. This includes indeterminate and term employees, seasonal employees, casuals and employees working on an "as required" basis.

3.3. This payment is not considered part of salary for pay purposes except for calculating the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit provided in clause 38 (Maternity Leave Without Pay) and clause 40 (Parental Leave Without Pay) of the PA collective agreement. As a result, entitlements related to pay situations such as promotions or acting pay will not be recalculated.

This payment should not be used in calculating the 4% gratuity or other entitlements such as premium pay in lieu of statutory holidays.

This entitlement is not subject to the 10 working days per month eligibility rule.

3.4. Acting Positions

Employees in an acting position are eligible to receive the payment, provided they are performing the duties of a compensation advisor at the AS-02 level.

Employees whose substantive position is within the PA group but whose acting position is outside the PA group, and who are not performing the required duties, are not eligible to receive the allowance.

Employees required to perform the duties of a higher classification level, in accordance with the clause 64.07 of the PA collective agreement, are not eligible to receive the allowance.

3.5. Part-Time Employees

Updated For eligible part-time employees, the allowance will be prorated in accordance with their Assigned Work Week (AWW).

3.6. Term Employees

Term employees appointed for a period equal to or greater than three months, and term employees of less than three months, are entitled to receive the payment, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

3.7. Leave without pay (LWOP)

This allowance is not payable for periods of leave without pay (LWOP).

In addition, employees are not entitled to receive the allowance while under suspension.

4. Procedures and Instructions

4.1. Compensation advisors are responsible to commence the allowance using entitlement code 227 (Terminable Retention Allowance), with a daily amount of $7.67 (rate base 2).

4.2. This payment is subject to the following mandatory deductions to be withheld at source:

• federal/provincial income tax
• employment insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
• Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)
• public service pension plan
• Disability Insurance (DI)
• Long-term Disability Insurance (LTD)
• Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB)
• Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP)

4.3. Refer to sections 4-4-18-3-1, 4-4-18-3-2 and 14-6 of the Personnel-Pay Input Manual (PPIM) for pay input requirements.

5. Pay Office Responsibilities

5.1. There are no new responsibilities to be assigned to the pay offices as a result of this payment. Current pay office procedures remain in effect.

6. Inquiries

6.1. Any inquiries on the information contained in this document should be addressed to your Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Compensation Services Office.

Reference(s): ENT 227