EC Classification Conversion
and the Issue of Group Allocation
June 29, 2006
Memorandum
Date : June 29, 2006
To / À : EC Local Leaders
From / De : Claude Danik, Executive Director
RE / Objet : EC Classification Conversion and the Issue of Group Allocation
A. Department officials should carry out the following duties in order to complete the conversion to the new EC classification standard:
1. Carry out an organizational review for the purpose of presenting to the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency information on the relativity of occupational groups within their respective organizations;
2. Re-write a limited number of ES and SI work descriptions for the purpose of feeding them into the sample of work descriptions used for testing the various versions of the new standard;
3. Review group allocation of positions to the EC group;
4. Re-write all EC work descriptions for the purpose of evaluation and rating, normally in consultation with employees;
5. Evaluate and rate all EC work descriptions;
6. Give advance notice of the content of the work description, the results of the evaluation and rating of the work description to the EC employee, and, engage the employee in discussion;
7. Enter the final rating results into a data base that will be used respectively by CAPE and Treasury Board for the purposes of negotiating rates of pay for the new EC levels;
8. Carry out the conversion once new rates of pay have been negotiated by CAPE and Treasury Board;
9. Give official notification of conversion to EC employees, ie that the new work descriptions and their respective classification are effective and of their right to grieve;
10. Receive and respond to grievances.
B. Departments should have completed the organizational review by now, and should have participated in putting together the sample work descriptions for testing.
Most departments should be at the stage of reviewing the group allocation of ES and SI positions. At this stage, it is important to keep in mind the following:
1. Group allocation depends on two factors: the group definition and on the accuracy of the work descriptions;
2. The group definition has not changed since 1998 and will not change with the EC conversion. The 1998 definition of the EC group was the result of adding together the ES group definition and the SI group definition. Therefore, it can be said that the group definition has not changed for at least 25 years and, that it is highly unlikely that positions that are currently ES and SI positions are not appropriate for the EC group. You will find herewith attached a copy of the EC group definition as a reference.
3. Department officials were advised at the June meeting of the EC Group Advisory Committee that CAPE will pay close attention to positions that departments are proposing to move out of the ES/SI to EC continuum.
4. Departments were reminded that they need to be able to demonstrate that an ES or SI position no longer meets the group definition of the combined EC group. They need to be able to demonstrate:
(a) that the duties have significantly changed since the last time a work description was prepared for the position;
(b) that the work description does not correspond to any of the various components of the group definition;
(c) that the work description does not fall under the "inclusions" of the group definition;
(d) that the work description does fall under the "exclusions".
C. If you are called upon to comment on the matter of group allocation, or if you are informed by management of the results of a group allocation analysis that concludes that a significant number of ES or SI positions should not be converted to EC positions but rather to positions of another occupational group, CAPE would ask that the matter be brought to the attention of your CAPE Labour Relations Officer.
June 29, 2006
Memorandum
Date : June 29, 2006
To / À : EC Local Leaders
From / De : Claude Danik, Executive Director
RE / Objet : EC Classification Conversion and the Issue of Group Allocation
A. Department officials should carry out the following duties in order to complete the conversion to the new EC classification standard:
1. Carry out an organizational review for the purpose of presenting to the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency information on the relativity of occupational groups within their respective organizations;
2. Re-write a limited number of ES and SI work descriptions for the purpose of feeding them into the sample of work descriptions used for testing the various versions of the new standard;
3. Review group allocation of positions to the EC group;
4. Re-write all EC work descriptions for the purpose of evaluation and rating, normally in consultation with employees;
5. Evaluate and rate all EC work descriptions;
6. Give advance notice of the content of the work description, the results of the evaluation and rating of the work description to the EC employee, and, engage the employee in discussion;
7. Enter the final rating results into a data base that will be used respectively by CAPE and Treasury Board for the purposes of negotiating rates of pay for the new EC levels;
8. Carry out the conversion once new rates of pay have been negotiated by CAPE and Treasury Board;
9. Give official notification of conversion to EC employees, ie that the new work descriptions and their respective classification are effective and of their right to grieve;
10. Receive and respond to grievances.
B. Departments should have completed the organizational review by now, and should have participated in putting together the sample work descriptions for testing.
Most departments should be at the stage of reviewing the group allocation of ES and SI positions. At this stage, it is important to keep in mind the following:
1. Group allocation depends on two factors: the group definition and on the accuracy of the work descriptions;
2. The group definition has not changed since 1998 and will not change with the EC conversion. The 1998 definition of the EC group was the result of adding together the ES group definition and the SI group definition. Therefore, it can be said that the group definition has not changed for at least 25 years and, that it is highly unlikely that positions that are currently ES and SI positions are not appropriate for the EC group. You will find herewith attached a copy of the EC group definition as a reference.
3. Department officials were advised at the June meeting of the EC Group Advisory Committee that CAPE will pay close attention to positions that departments are proposing to move out of the ES/SI to EC continuum.
4. Departments were reminded that they need to be able to demonstrate that an ES or SI position no longer meets the group definition of the combined EC group. They need to be able to demonstrate:
(a) that the duties have significantly changed since the last time a work description was prepared for the position;
(b) that the work description does not correspond to any of the various components of the group definition;
(c) that the work description does not fall under the "inclusions" of the group definition;
(d) that the work description does fall under the "exclusions".
C. If you are called upon to comment on the matter of group allocation, or if you are informed by management of the results of a group allocation analysis that concludes that a significant number of ES or SI positions should not be converted to EC positions but rather to positions of another occupational group, CAPE would ask that the matter be brought to the attention of your CAPE Labour Relations Officer.