Conclusion, recommendations and management response

This audit concludes positively that several key elements of the staffing and classification management frameworks were in place at ECCC, such as policies, instruments and guidelines. As well, a Staffing Oversight and Monitoring Plan for 2016-17 has been established to measure and report on the health of organizational staffing. The audit also confirmed that the recommendations from the previous 2011 PSC staffing audit report were fully implemented.

Appointments examined were mostly in compliance with the Public Service Employment Act requirements, and other applicable statutory and regulatory instruments. Positions were classified according to occupational group definitions, appropriate job evaluation standards and application guidelines. Moreover, staffing and classification service standards were defined.

To address the findings outlined in this report, the following recommendations are presented.

Recommendation 1

The Chief Human Resources Management Officer should improve existing staffing and classification processes and controls in order to:

• ensure better compliance of the sub-delegation staffing instrument with the authorities outlined in Annex A of the PSC’s revised ADAI
• enhance compliance of appointments with the PSEA, the PSC’s Appointment Policy and other relevant policies
• ensure that classification requirements for file documentation are met

Recommendation 2

The Chief Human Resources Management Officer should enhance its approach to monitor staffing and classification activities, including to:

• monitor staffing and conduct the required organizational cyclical assessment at least once every five years and report these results to the PSC
• conduct classification monitoring and follow-up in a more timely and periodic basis
• monitor and report actual performance against established staffing and classification service standards

Management response

Management agrees with the recommendations.

Existing staffing and classification processes and controls will be enhanced to ensure compliance with central agency policies and directives. Existing staffing and classification monitoring approaches will be improved and aligned with the central agency requirements.