ARCHIVED - Public Service Commission Support and Guidance (09-11)

2009-07-21

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is committed to providing human resources (HR) advisors and hiring managers with support and guidance with regard to the appointment process.

As part of the review of the Appointment Policy the PSC is currently undertaking, I am pleased to announce several new and updated tools for use.

• The supporting documents for the Informal Discussion Policy have been updated to clarify the intent and purpose of informal discussion and include references to the following:
  • Group informal discussion;
  • Timeframes to limit when informal discussions may take place; and
  • Confirmation that if the reason for elimination has not changed, then one informal discussion is sufficient.

• One of the supporting documents to the Area of Selection Policy, the Reference List that outlines organizations’ relationship with the PSC and the Public Service Employment Act, has been updated to address minor errors and omissions, to remove organizations that no longer exist and to add new ones. New language has been added to ensure that the intent of the document is easier to understand.

• A new Staffing File Checklist has been created as a guide to assist HR advisors in documenting staffing files appropriately. It has been provided in Word format so organizations may customize it to meet their individual needs. A new Source of Requirements – Staffing File Documentation document clarifies what actions and decisions should be documented, and is intended to contribute to a greater understanding on the part of HR advisors and hiring managers alike.

• The Guidance Series - Selecting Employees for Retention and Lay-Off document has been updated to include a reference to the use of ranking. It also refers to the creation of new jobs to appoint employees retained in a workforce adjustment situation if the jobs that are remaining have changed to the extent that new ones must be created.

• The Executive Appointment Guide for Human Resources Professionals has been revised and updated to provide greater clarity around the requirements of the Appointment Framework that are specifically relevant to executive (EX) appointments. In particular, the section on assessment was expanded to provide additional information about the Assessment Policy’s requirements for EX appointments.

I would like to draw your attention to a flexibility that exists with regard to the appointment of former Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), Research Affiliate Program (RAP) and Co-op/Internship Program (Co-op) students to public service jobs. The letter to heads of HR dated October 1, 2008 (08-21) included a reference to student bridging mechanisms. As last year’s advertisements for FSWEP, RAP, and Co-op students contained a statement that completion of the student’s educational program and student assignment could lead to temporary or permanent public service positions, the future bridging of these students may be considered as advertised appointment processes.

Finally, we are continuing to work on the Student Employment Programs Exclusion Approval Order and the Collective Appointments Exclusion Approval Order to provide even more flexibility for appointments. More information will be forthcoming on these items in the future.

For more information on the above, please contact Michael West, A/Director, Regulations and Legislation Division, at 613-996-6261 or by e-mail at michael.west@cfp-psc.gc.ca, or contact the PSC strategic consultant responsible for your organization.

Donald Lemaire
Senior Vice-President
Policy Branch

c.c.: Chiefs of Staffing