Update as of March 15 from the Treasury Board Secretariat:
Managers are expected to consider telework for all their employees, at all worksites, and should work with them to identify an approach that is as flexible as possible while ensuring continued critical government operations and services to Canadians.
Consistent with deputy head accountabilities, departments and agencies are asked to identify and determine how best to manage through exceptional situations (critical services requiring on-site presence; security limitations; or other operational imperatives for which no reasonable alternative to working on-site can be considered) that do not lend themselves to telework.
Update as of March 14:
PIPSC has been getting daily, sometimes hourly, updates from the employer and through our stewards and consultation teams.
President Daviau will continue to urge the Treasury Board to do everything in its power to ensure worksites are safe and the wellness of members is the top priority for those who are unable to telework at this time.
On March 13, Deputy Heads, Heads of Agencies (including separate employers), and Heads of Human Resources were asked to make arrangements to allow telework wherever possible. We expect this to take a number of days to arrange as this situation continues to evolve. It will likely be applied differently across departments and agencies due to the nature of their work.
Telework
The employer is striving to be as flexible as possible in leveraging all existing telework and alternative work arrangements in line with operational requirements.
President Daviau has raised concerns about access to VPN and the adequacy of IT infrastructure to support this change to work. We’ve been assured that the Treasury Board, Shared Services Canada and the Chief Information Officers are working to support remote work and prioritize network access tied to critical operations.
Leave
If you are in good health but are required by public health to self-isolate, please discuss telework with your manager. If telework is not possible, you will be granted leave with pay – under “other leave with pay (699 code)” as per your collective agreement.
Sick leave should be used in the case that you are ill.
School closures
Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Manitoba have announced school closures, and more provinces might enact similar measures. If you are unable to arrange childcare, please discuss telework with your manager. If telework is not possible, you will be granted leave with pay -– under “other leave with pay (699 code).”
This provision will be available for the duration of any school closures and reassessed by the employer on April 10, 2020.
Travel
You must declare your intent to travel to your manager and take all precautions advised by public health with regard to restrictions and self-quarantine. An official global travel advisory is in effect: avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.
Worksites
PIPSC is working closely with our stewards and consultation teams to ensure worksites are safe for members. If a possible or confirmed COVID-19 case occurs, our team is working quickly to ensure all members are safe and informed.
If you are working in a Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) building and may have a possible or confirmed COVID-19 case, please immediately contact PSPC’s National Service Call Centre. A response plan will be put in place immediately.
Mental health
The wellness of our members is always important, but at times like these, stress may become overwhelming. The employer is preparing extra resources to support teams across the government.
Contact the 24-7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or your departmental coordinator, access care through the Public Service Healthcare Plan (PSHP), or use the nationwide Specialized Organizational Services (SOS).
Union support
This situation is evolving and changing rapidly. PIPSC staff and stewards are able to support you if you have any concerns.
We encourage you to contact a steward by email or phone if you require support.
This is an evolving situation
This situation is constantly evolving, PIPSC will cooperate with the Treasury Board, and all our group employers, to make sure that we are consulted and you are informed of any changes.
We expect to learn more over the next few hours, days and weeks. We are committed to informing you as soon as possible.
PIPSC members can find our latest updates on COVID-19: https://pipsc.ca/covid19
Government of Canada updates on COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/covid-19