Fellow members,
Following tremendous pressure on the part of public service bargaining agents, the government has finally introduced some much-needed flexibility in the recovery of overpayments caused by Phoenix.
According to the Treasury Board, “in order to relieve and mitigate the financial stress and hardships of employees experiencing overpayments in Phoenix”, the Employer will now adopt a “flexible and respectful approach to managing the recovery of overpayments (including Emergency Salary Advances and priority payments)”.
This is an important development for our members. Unless an employee decides on an earlier repayment schedule, the Employer has agreed to delay, all or in part, the recovery of these types of overpayments until their pay file is reconciled – which it defines as receiving their correct pay for three consecutive pay periods.
In the case of employees currently on Leave Without Pay, the recovery process is not to begin until they return to work or their employment is terminated.
Your Department/Agency or the Pay Centre must develop with you a flexible repayment schedule. According to our information, you are to be provided “maximum discretion, as reasonable, to determine a repayment plan.”
If you have any questions, please contact your departmental Labour Relations or Compensation staff.
Need help with your Phoenix issues? Contact us at https://www.pipsc.ca/news-issues/phoenix-pay-system/phoenix-help-form.
Better Together,
Debi Daviau,
President