Can You Tell Me? Can Work Hours Be Modified?
Modified Work Hours
The concept of a 4-day workweek or having every second Monday off is an appealing idea for many. From time to time, an AESES employee may need or want to adjust their hours of work temporarily or permanently. There is language in the AESES Collective Agreements that allows members to request a modified work schedule.
Members at both UM and UW can request a modified work schedule. It is important to note that while the language in both the AESES-UM and AESES-UW Collective Agreements allows employees to make such a request, approval is not guaranteed. The employer must consider the feasibility of the request by examining particulars such as the type of work the employee does, the Department’s hours of operation, staffing levels and current workloads. If the request is approved on a temporary or permanent basis, it is also important to note that the employer can still amend or cancel the arrangement if they deem it necessary.
As covered in Article 11.2 of the AESES-UW Collective Agreement, UW members can submit a request for a modified work week in writing to their supervisor. When making the request, you should be aware that a modified work week may include but is not limited to, flextime, banked time, or a compressed work week. The employer will consider the request and provide a written response in a reasonable period. If approval is granted by the Employer for a modified work week, the terms and conditions of the modified work week are confirmed in a Letter of Understanding (LOU).
The process is similar for UM members, as outlined in Articles 11.1 and 12.8 of the AESES-UM Collective Agreement. When a recurring exchange of work for time off exceeds one pay period, it is considered a modified work schedule. UM members can submit a request for a modified work schedule to their supervisor. If granted after due consideration by the employer, the terms and conditions of the modified work schedule shall be confirmed by a LOU signed by the Department, Human Resources, the employee(s), and the Association.
If you need assistance with a modified work schedule request, contact us at LabourTeam@aeses.ca.
For info on short-term or one-time schedule change requests, referred to as the Banking of Regular Time, see the Can You Tell Me article in the August 2024 insideAESES newsletter.
Tags: can you tell me, December 2024, insideAESES