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Updates from the HR Council – November 1, 2022

Human Resources Council. Today's Talent. Tomorrow's Sucess.

In this Issue

Did You Know?

Human Resources Council (HRC)

The HRC GCXchange page is now available!

If you have not yet registered, please register by entering your e-mail address and selecting your department.

If you encounter any issues or have questions about GCXchange, please email support-soutien@gcx-gce.gc.ca.

APEX

APEX October 2022 Newsletter

Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)

  • Moving from Bias to Inclusion (INC123)
    This online self-paced course describes some of the most common unconscious biases and how to recognize them in the workplace. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own biases and the importance of being inclusive when making decisions.
  • Workplace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Action (INC124)
    This online self-paced course presents an overview of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and helps advance the integration of meaningful and impactful EDI practices in the workplace. Participants will learn about the key characteristics of EDI and how to adopt practices for building and sustaining a healthy and inclusive culture at work.
  • Making a Difference in Supporting the Careers of Indigenous Employees (IRA144)
    This course provides human resources specialists and managers with concrete ways to help facilitate the hiring, retention and advancement of Indigenous employees within the public service. Participants will gain an understanding of the realities that some Indigenous employees face in the public service, and will learn practices that can make a difference in supporting their careers.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Best HR Practices

Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO)

Centre on Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)

OCHRO’s submission to the Employment Equity Act Task Force
After numerous engaging and insightful consultations with diverse stakeholder groups facilitated by the Centre on Diversity and Inclusion, a written submission has been submitted by the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) to the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force, as it relates to the core public administration.
This submission, which includes raw data from over 700 employees and employee networks across the federal public service, addresses the themes set by the task force as well as barriers in the workplace, and challenges around data.

Questions and comments about OCHRO’s submission to the task force can be sent to EEDI@tbs-sct.gc.ca.

Self-Identification Modernized Questionnaire
The launch of the Self-ID Questionnaire, previously scheduled for November 21, 2022, has been postponed to 2023. The new launch date will be determined in the foreseeable future, in consultation with key departmental stakeholders.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)

Consulting with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s Government Advisory Directorate

Public Service Commission (PSC)

Letter to Heads of HR: Review of the Affirmation of Indigenous Identity in Appointment Processes (22-07)

Resources of the Language Portal of Canada

Writing Tools: Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources

What’s Coming Up

HRC

  • October 28, 2022 – Special HRC Meeting – Follow-up Discussion on Self-Identification for Heads of HR and two (2) guests.
  • November 21, 2022 – HRC SmartShop: Advertising an Appointment Process
    Join us to informally discuss the basic principles and requirements surrounding the decision to advertise an appointment process using the Guide published by the Public Service Commission of Canada. Scenarios on the topic will also be used to encourage discussions. To ensure that the session meets the HR community’s learning needs, please submit your questions in the official language of your choice by November 15, 2022 via Slido.
  • November 29, 2022 – HRC SmartShop: Equipping Employees in a Hybrid Environment
    Join us as we explore how various considerations such as Occupational Health & Safety, Duty to Accommodate, Accessibility and Material Management play a role in equipping employees for a hybrid workforce. To ensure that the session meets the HR community’s learning needs, please submit your questions in the official language of your choice by November 10, 2022 via Slido.
  • November 30, 2022 – HR Communities of Practices Hub Meeting

APEX

CSPS

GC Accessibility Training and Events

HRC Meeting – October 18, 2022

Item 1: Registration and Networking / In-Person HRC Kiosk

Heads of HR had the opportunity to network and benefit from the HRC kiosk showcasing new HR Tools.

Item 2: Opening Remarks

Darlène de Gravina, HRC Chair and Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), HR Services Branch, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) welcomed attendees and thanked Heads of HR and presenters for their in-person presence.

The Chair introduced the following newly appointed Heads of HR:

  • Ann Mousseau, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
  • Sofia Scichilone, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

The events, celebrations and commemorations below were highlighted:

  • October is the month of: Cyber Security, German Heritage, Latin American Heritage and Healthy Workplaces
  • October 18 – Persons Day in Canada
  • October 19 – Special HRC Meeting, organized in collaboration with OCHRO, to pursue the conversation on increasing the minimum official languages requirements for bilingual supervisory positions in bilingual regions
  • October 20 – International Conflict Resolution Day
  • October 24-26 – 2022 National Managers’ Community Symposium: Managing in our Changing Work Reality
  • Other events organized by the CSPS and APEX (listed in the What’s Coming Up section)

Item 3: Departmental Hybrid Profile Exercise

Elizabeth Hardy, Senior Director, Research and Experimentation, Research, Planning and Renewal (RPR), Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) provided a summary of the results on the departmental hybrid profile exercise, more specifically on position assessment for compatibility with hybrid work arrangement, types of hybrid work models, real property considerations and challenges organizations are facing.

In terms of next steps, OCHRO will continue to build the evidence-base through the Hybrid-in-a-Box government-wide experimentation initiative and other research activities. A final report is expected in late spring 2023.  The November 2023 Public Service Employee Survey will also capture insights on hybrid work models and serve as enterprise-wide check-in on progress. Engagement activities will continue with the ADM Flex Committee and other interdepartmental senior management committees.

For more information, please consult the Government of Canada Hybrid Profil PowerPoint presentation.

Item 4: 2023 Staffing and Non-Partisanship Survey Questionnaire Consultation

Francis Hamel, Director, Data Services and Analysis Directorate, Oversight and Investigations Sector, Public Service Commission (PSC) provided a brief overview of the Staffing and Non-Partisanship Survey (SNPS), its purpose and proposed changes for the 2023 iteration.

Comments were gathered and shared with the PSC towards future implementation.

The survey period will be from February 23 to April 21, 2023. The results are expected to be released in Fall 2023.

It is important to note that thematic reports based on last year’s results will soon be published on the staffing and nonpartisanship perceptions of persons with disabilities, and other employment equity groups.

For more information, please consult the 2023 SNPS Questionnaire Consultation PowerPoint presentation.

Item 5: Classification Update: Learning and Accreditation

Francis Leblanc, A/Manager, Community Enablement and Professionalization, Organization and Evaluation of Work (OEW), Employee Relations and Total Compensation (ERTC), OCHRO provided an update on community enablement and professionalization (CEP); more specifically, the purpose, current state and needs as well as what can be expected for the future of learning and accreditation in classification.

Stéphanie Laflamme-Bertrand, Manager, Experimentation and Policy Innovation, Workforce Organization & Classification, ERTC, OCHRO provided an overview of the preliminary findings on oversight activities.

From the information collected via the Position Classification Information System+, OCHRO determined that most challenges could be attributed to the various internal barriers, the PE generics implementation, and the current job evaluation tools.

OCHRO will share the Oversight Finding Report with Heads of HR and other stakeholders as soon as it is finalized. Recommendations on the way forward will be presented to the HRC Executive Committee. In the interim, quick solutions are being identified to address barriers and will be implemented as soon as possible.

For further information, please consult the Learning and Accreditation PowerPoint presentation or contact Marcel Page, Executive Director, OEW, ERTC, OCHRO.

Item 6: HR Community Development Initiative Update

Nathalie Kachulis, Chair of the HR Community Development Steering Committee, and Director General, Strategic Business Integration Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency, provided an update on HR community development activities. Various initiatives have now been completed such as the:

Additional initiatives are currently in progress such as the:

  • PE Competency Development Framework – Classification, HR Planning and Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Fully assessed pool of Classification Advisors
  • Revised Learning Roadmaps
  • Development of Career Profiles and Success Profiles

For further information, please refer to the HR Community Development Initiative PowerPoint presentation.

Item 7: Break – Networking / Virtual and In Person HRC Kiosk

Attendees were invited to visit the in person and online HRC Kiosk for an overview of the  PE Development Framework tools for Staffing and Labour Relations.

Item 8: Modernization of the Self-Identification Questionnaire

Sonia Le Bris, Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture (PC), OCHRO was pleased to announce that the launch of the new Self-ID questionnaire is coming soon. Sonia mentioned that for the project to be a success, OCHRO will need the contribution of all organizations to promote and follow up.

Marie-Josée Kabis, Senior Director, Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, PC, OCHRO, provided an overview of the key changes to the modernized Self-Identification Questionnaire that are included in Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The questionnaire will be accessible via the TBS Application Portal. All employees will be required to access the system and self-identify by responding, at a minimum, to the first question. Current self-identification systems must be maintained in departments until OCHRO is confident that the data is reliable and of good quality.

In the coming weeks, OCHRO will share a communications toolkit with organizations. Heads of HR will be invited to a Demo session on October 28, 2022, for an overview of the new system and to address any outstanding questions.

For more information, please consult the Self-ID Implementation PowerPoint presentation. Please note that the Fall 2022 launch has been postponed to a later date. More information will be shared with key stakeholders in the near future.

Item 9: 2022-2023 Executive Talent Management Cycle and Inclusion Stewards Initiative

Kristine Letendre, Manager, Executive Talent Management Strategies, PC, OCHRO, presented the approach and timelines for the 2022-23 executive and ADM talent management. She also highlighted a few proposed changes.

Organizations will need to submit their questionnaires to OCHRO by December 19, 2022. In November, OCHRO plans to provide Deputy Heads with support material, including new expanded initiatives.

For detailed information, please consult the Proposal for 2022-23 ADM Talent Management Discussions PowerPoint presentation 

Kristine also provided an overview of the Inclusion Steward initiative to enable objective and bias-free talent and performance assessments.

To support the implementation of Inclusion Stewards, OCHRO has developed an implementation guidance package that includes communications, direction and best practices. This package should be released near the end of November 2023. In the coming years, OCHRO plans to build a Community of Practice through one of their GC platforms and connect organizations to share practices and adjust the approach moving forward.

For further information please consult the Inclusion Stewards Initiative PowerPoint presentation.

Item 10: Update from the Central Agencies

Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO)

Employee Relations and Total Compensation (ERTC)
  • Claudia Zovatto, Executive Director, Governance Engagement Information and Reporting, ERTC, OCHRO reminded Heads of HR of the notice sent regarding the pension implications when hiring casual workers for a period exceeding 90 days. To prevent immediate enrolment to the pension and benefits plans, separate appointment letters (one for each calendar year) must be issued with a minimum break of 7 working days between appointments.
  • Heads of HR were reminded to kindly respond to the September request to provide a status report on Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) individual grievances related to leave code 699. OCHRO must share information promptly with PSAC.
  • An update on collective bargaining was also shared.
  • Claudia referred to the Bulletin that was sent the week of October 10th inviting organizations to submit proposals for consideration in the upcoming cyclical review of the National Joint Council (NJC) Foreign Service Directives. Proposals must be submitted by December 9, 2022, via email to the FSD.DSE@tbs-sct.gc.ca mailbox.
People and Culture (PC)

Public Service Commission (PSC)

Guillaume Fontaine, A/Director General, Policy and Strategic Direction Directorate, Policy and Communications, PSC mentioned that the PSC will soon release the results of the review of the Affirmation of Aboriginal Affiliation Form (AAAF) in hiring processes. Following consultations, the form will soon be modified to include updated terminology, additional information on reasons for completing the form and stronger language on consequences of a false self-declaration. The revised form entitled “Affirmation of Indigenous Identity Form” (AIIF) will come into effect on November 1, 2022. Outreach and engagement activities are ongoing with HR Committees and Indigenous Employee Networks. A letter to Heads of HR will be shared shortly.

HRC Planning Calendar

Please see the HRC Planning Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

Contact Us

HRCouncil/ConseilRH@tbs-sct.gc.ca

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