In this Issue
Did You Know?
Reminders During Labour Disruptions
Several bargaining groups represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada are now in a legal strike position. We recognize that such public service-wide labour disruptions, particularly in a still relatively new hybrid work environment, may be a source of uncertainty and stress, no matter which bargaining group you belong to, or whether you’re excluded or unrepresented.
Labour Disruptions
There is important information on Canada.ca to help understand and demystify labour disruptions in the context of the federal public service. The labour disruptions page includes useful information on various topics, including:
- Strikes and job action in the core public administration;
- Impacts to compensation when withdrawing services during a strike; and
- Labour disruptions and essential, excluded, and unrepresented positions.
Employee Support
The Employer respects the right of employees in a legal strike position to participate in strike action.
The support services of the Employee Assistance Program are also available to all employees who need them, 24 hours a day, by calling 1-800-268-7708 (or 1-800-567-5803 for the hearing-impaired). Counsellors are also accessible by chat (password: canada), from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm (ET), excluding statutory holidays.
Employee Conduct
All employees and managers are reminded of the values set out in the Values & Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and to abide by those values at all times, including when off-duty or when using social media.
The TBS Guideline on Acceptable Network and Device Use applies to professional and personal use of Government of Canada electronic networks and devices, and online tools and services by authorized individuals, irrespective of location of access. This includes using government-issued devices on government and public networks, as well as using personal devices, if permitted, on Government of Canada networks (e.g., use of a Virtual Private Network on a personal computer).
Human Resources Council (HRC)
Reminder: Seeking Input by May 8, 2023 – Human Resources Career Development
The HR Council is seeking your input on the career development needs of the HR community.
You are invited to complete this 7-minute survey by May 8th to support the development of a career pathway tool to improve the career path and navigation of HR professionals.
Thank you for your participation.
PE-01 Regional Qualified Talent in Classification and Labour Relations
Attention regional hiring managers! Are you looking for qualified PE-01 talent to fill roles in classification and/or labour relations? Visit the Careers in Human Resources site to access the fully-assessed pool, including candidates from Quebec, Western and Ontario regions – first come, first served!
Reminder – HRC GCXchange Page
The HRC GCXchange page is now available! To join the GCXchange site for the HR Community, please follow these five steps.
If you encounter any issues or have questions about GCXchange, please email support-soutien@gcx-gce.gc.ca.
APEX
Collection of New EX Information
APEX will be instituting a new approach to the collection of new executive information from human resources groups in all organizations. Beginning in May 2023, we will be moving to a monthly call process (currently there are 3 calls per year) – with a consistent timeline and a set template. The objective is to make the process and experience more efficient. We are seeking to reduce the wait period for new executives to receive their complimentary APEX membership and to reduce administrative burden for both organizations and APEX.
Ultimately, this will contribute to an improved experience for everyone, including a smoother process for the November 2023 Induction to the Ranks of New Executives and to enable the new APEX Members Perks Program that rolls out April 2023 with Perkopolis.
Organizational Ambassadors to APEX – Network
APEX intends to reach out to Deputy Ministers (DMs) in May to highlight the importance of the Ambassadors Network and to request each organization to put forth an active ambassador to the network. A revised mandate for this role has been created and the list on APEX website has been updated. DMs will be asked to identify and empower their ambassadors to help better support the EX communities within each organization and across the broader public service. For more information, please visit Organizational Ambassadors Directory
2023 APEX Leadership Summit and Awards of Excellence Ceremony
APEX is excited to host the 2023 Leadership Summit and Awards of Excellence Ceremony, a premier professional development event, exclusively for Canada’s public service executive community. This unique learning event will be held in-person on May 30-31, 2023, at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. A virtual participation option will also allow participation of executives from across Canada and abroad.
The 2023 summit theme, “Serve with Purpose, Lead with Clarity, Drive Positive Change” invites participants to be committed to the mission of service, navigate their leadership journey with a clear vision, and leave their mark during a time of extraordinary change. Three powerful statements that inspire leaders to a call to action in their personal and professional lives. Together, purpose, clarity and change represent the North Star that helps us navigate through turbulent and uncharted waters.
Check out the summit website section for registration, the program and more details on the extraordinary line up of renowned thought leaders from both the public and private sectors.
Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer – TBS
Interdepartmental Standardized Job Descriptions for the Communications Community
Six new Interdepartmental Standardized Job Description (ISJDs) products produced by the Communications Community Office (CCO) and validated by the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) are now available to organizations. The ISJDs listed below can be found in the “files” section of the Conversion Initiatives GCconnex group and also at the CCO’s GCpedia web page. These include:
- Junior Communications Officer (IS-02 / proposed PA-CMN-01)
- Communications Officer (IS-03 / proposed PA-CMN-02)
- Communications Advisor (IS-04 / proposed PA-CMN-03)
- Senior Communications Advisor (IS-05 /proposed PA-CMN-04)
- Senior Communications Advisor, Team Leader (IS-05 / proposed PA-CMN-04)
- Communications Manager (IS-06 / proposed PA-CMN-05)
You will notice that no ISJD was developed for the IS-01 level, since the community determined that the IS-01 level was not commonly used.
The ISJDs are evaluated with both the Information Services (IS) and the PA-CMN job evaluation standards and can therefore be implemented at any time, including prior to the PA conversion. Should you choose to apply these, you will find the OCHRO Decision Job Number programmed in the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS). Each ISJD also has a PA-CMN Decision Job Number that will apply upon PA Conversion.
OCHRO encourages organizations to apply ISJDs wherever possible. The appropriate use of ISJDs supports sound relativity and effective position management.
The Organization and Evaluation of Work team within OCHRO would like to thank the classification community for their contributions to and support for these products. This ISJD suite was a true team effort and could not have been accomplished without the support received.
Chiefs of Classification may direct any questions to zzORGCLA@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
2021-22 Annual Report on Employment Equity in the Public Service of Canada
As the employer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) is required to report on progress towards employment equity representation. The 2021-22 Annual Report on Employment Equity in the Public Service of Canada was tabled in late March 2023 along with the separate agencies’ employment equity annual reports.
It highlights government-wide efforts in:
- generating and publishing data to gain a more accurate picture of representation gaps;
- increasing the diversity of senior leaders of the public service;
- ensuring that the right benchmarks are in place;
- addressing systemic barriers; and
- promoting engagement and awareness.
This is the 30th year of reporting, and for the first time, the report measures progress specifically in relation to Black employees, which can be used as a comparison in future reports.
Achieving representation goals for greater diversity and, more importantly, cultivating a culture of inclusion, requires a shift in our intention and mindset. This report highlights key data that point to gaps in representation and persistent disparities in salaries. Overall, women, Indigenous peoples and members of visible minorities in the public service meet or exceed their workforce availability. The report shows the need to continue working on increasing representation of persons with disabilities overall and to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples at the executive level.
Increasing diversity, accessibility and inclusion is fundamental to ensuring all employees have a sense of belonging and can bring their full selves to their work. We remain committed to the work of eradicating bias, barriers and discrimination, through ongoing, relentless effort to improve the lived experience of public servants and to ensure that they can realize their full potential. There is still work to do, but we have also come a long way.
Updated Guidance – Student Rates of Pay
Public Service Commission (PSC)
Amendments to the Public Service Employment Act – Implementation
The coming into force date for the two remaining provisions has been deferred until July 2023. The work to confirm the coming into force date by Order in Council continues. We encourage organizations to continue the work being done to ensure readiness for implementation in July.
Organizations wishing to discuss the implementation of the PSEA amendments in their organization can contact their staffing support advisor.
A condensed version of the workshop, “Application of the New Requirement”, will be the subject of an upcoming HRC SmartShop on May 10, 2023. Registration information is available in the What’s Coming Up section.
Frequently Asked Questions to support implementation have now been published on the PSC GCintranet page.
PSC’s Reporting Requirements for 2022-2023 – One Month Extension
The PSC was made aware that some organizations are having difficulty meeting the May 1, 2023 deadline to submit the PSC’s reporting requirements for 2022-23 in accordance with Annex D of the Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument. Therefore, the deadline has been extended to June 5, 2023.
Please contact your Staffing Support Advisor if you have any concerns or require further extensions.
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)
2023-2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service
Stephen Burt, Chief Data Officer of Canada, Office of the Chief Information Officer, is pleased to share that the 2023-2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service is now available!
The renewed strategy sets updated goals and expectations for the strategic use of data by the federal public service to strengthen data-driven results and improve outcomes for Canadians. It was developed in close collaboration between the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Privy Council Office and Statistics Canada, and informed by consultations across the federal public service.
The strategy’s four mission areas focus on achievable and high-impact opportunities:
- Proactively considering data by design in all stages of government initiatives;
- Effectively stewarding data for decision-making;
- Improving user experience and maintaining trust by enabling data-driven services; and
- Empowering the public service with the talent and tools it needs.
The next steps include development of the implementation roadmap with publication to follow in early summer 2023.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Labour Program
Career Fair Invitation – Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion
The second Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion (CCDI) will take place from May 24-26, 2023. The CCDI is virtual, interactive, free and open to the public.
The CCDI 2023 provides an opportunity to bring together members of the disability community, thought leaders, academics, policy makers and innovators to exchange ideas, share best practices, build multi-sectoral networks and partnerships to enable the development of inclusively designed communities and workplaces across Canada.
ESDC is hosting a national virtual Career Fair on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (ET), to connect persons with disabilities with employment opportunities. This event is aligned with the Government of Canada’s commitment to hire 5,000 persons with disabilities by 2025.
To support this goal, ESDC invites you to submit an application for an exhibit booth at our Career Fair to showcase your support and have an opportunity for hiring persons with disabilities. Please note that there are no fees or costs associated with your application or participation.
The Career Fair is an opportunity for you to meet persons with disabilities to discuss available job openings and additional details pertaining to your organization. Attendees interested in your department or agency can request a one-on-one live meeting to ask questions and discuss skills, roles and responsibilities of any of the jobs being showcased.
In addition, ESDC is happy to share the new official Career Fair Exhibitor Information Guide, which includes important information on participation, including directions on how to build a virtual booth, roles and responsibilities, timelines and checklists.
If participation in the Career Fair interests your department or organization, please submit an application through the Exhibitor Application Portal, no later than May 5, 2023.
ESDC will provide exhibitors with a virtual training session on how to use the virtual platform on May 12, 2023. The training webinar will be bilingual and include captions and ASL/LSQ interpretation. ESDC will record and publish the training session on the virtual platform for future reference.
For any additional questions or inquiries, please feel free to send an email through the CCDI Mailbox: edsc.congres.can.acc-can.congress.acc.esdc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)
Learning Path: 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusion Learning Path
Course: Disability Management and Workplace Wellness (INC120)
Learning Tool: Thrive Series: Team Toolkit
Other HR-Related Content
Infinity – The Network for Neurodivergent Public Servants
Infinity is a new interdepartmental professionals’ network founded by and for neurodivergent federal public servants, encompassing those with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia and dysgraphia.
Focused on promoting respect for neurodiversity in the workplace, Infinity looks to connect, empower and drive personal and professional growth among current and aspiring neurodivergent public servants through:
- virtual and in-person networking events;
- professional development activities;
- mentorship; and
- GCXchange and GCcollab groups.
Through its name, Infinity embraces the limitless possibilities there are when we empower neurodivergent people to succeed in the workplace.
Infinity invites all public servants who identify as neurodivergent and their allies to become members of Infinity to join our groups on GCXchange and GCcollab to access key resources and documents.
Any questions can be directed to the founding Chair, Sancho Angulo, at sancho.angulo@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
Do you want to increase self-awareness by developing key leadership skills?
Thanks to the collaboration between the Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace (GCXchange) and the Interdepartmental Organizational Change Network (IOCN), you are invited to participate to the beautiful “grass roots” program called “Mindful Change Leadership Development (MCLD) – English 2023 Program“.
Over the course of the eight-week program, from May 1 to June 19, 2023, aimed at all levels and expertise, you’ll learn and practice how to enhance your focus, clarity, creativity and compassion in the service of others for becoming a better Change Leader, with the option to start your mindfulness practice.
GC Workplace Accessibility Passport Newsletter
National Manager’s Community (NMC)
- NMC Annual Report 2022 prepared for the Clerk of the Privy Council.
What’s Coming Up
HRC
May 3, 2023 (New Date) – HRC SmartShop - Introduction to Performance-Based Compensation for Executives
This HR Council SmartShop, organized in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, is intended for HR advisors who are new to the executive performance pay process, as well as those who would like a refresher.
At the end of the session, participants will understand:
- The basic principles behind performance-based compensation
- How to establish organizational spending limits
- How to administer in-range salary movements
- How to administer performance pay for executives
Registration:
English Session –May 3, 2023, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (ET)
French Session – May 3, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (ET)
May 10, 2023 – HRC SmartShop - PSEA 36(2): Overview of Implementation
This HRC SmartShop is organized in collaboration with the Public Service Commission and is open to the entire HR community. This is the second smartshop on the new Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) requirement to evaluate all assessment methods, for bias or barriers. This one focuses on:
- The impacts from a policy perspective;
- How to apply the new requirement.
Registration
English Session – May 10, 2023, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET)
French Session – May 10, 2023, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (ET)
May 9, 2023: HRC Executive Committee Meeting
May 16, 2023: HRC Meeting
May 24, 2023: HR Community Engagement Hub Meeting
September 27, 2023 (1:30 to 3:30 pm ET): Michelle C. Comeau HR Leadership Awards Ceremony
APEX
May 30 – 31, 2023 – APEX Leadership Summit 2023 and Awards of Excellence Ceremony
Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)
May 1, 2023 – Leadership Series: How to Work with (Almost) Anyone
May 2, 2023 – My Story: Navigating Mental Health at Work
May 4, 2023 – Ethical Considerations of Autonomous Intelligence Systems
May 4, 2023 – The Artistry of Change: The Top Practices of Highly Resilient Managers
May 5, 2023 – Overcoming Adversity and Reclaiming Power as Indigenous Women
May 8, 2023 – Privacy Awareness Week 2023: What Is Public May Still Be Personal
May 15, 2023 – Canadian Jewish Heritage Month 2023: Celebrating the Diversity of Jewish Canadians
HRC Planning Calendar
Please see the HRC Planning Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.
Contact Us
HRCouncil/ConseilRH@tbs-sct.gc.ca
