Agreement reached on process to implement 37.5 hour work week

The spirit of the negotiated agreement surrounding the change from a 36-hour to a 37.5-hour work week was confirmed this week as the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) reached agreement on a process to implement the 37.5 hour work week agreed to in the recently ratified collective agreement.

"While at least one health authority had jumped the gun and advised staff that the change required the elimination of EDO (earned days off) or ATO (accumulated time off) schedules, this is not the case," said HSPBA Chief Negotiator Jeanne Meyers.

The implementation process, signed off April 15, allows for flexibility, including the elimination of extended hours schedules, and for modified schedules with similar or different extended hours schedules.

"The key to the process is that employers and employees engage in a cooperative dialogue that results in scheduling that ultimately meets the needs for delivery of health care services, while accommodating the specific needs of individual worksites and departments," Meyers said.

To read supporting documents, click on "attachments" link below.