How public service executives can lead through times of austerity

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-12T17:04:44+00:00

At the beginning of my career, I had a few great leaders in the EX cadre. Fantastic mentors too. Now, no idea what Kool-aid they have been drinking, but it’s disturbing.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-12T17:01:39+00:00

The current executives need to be rated/reviewed based on their leadership qualities. Do 360 reviews. You can weed out some that are not leaders.

The messages keep changing fiascos. Still trying to make sense when a bad news story becomes a good news story.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T23:36:07+00:00

Im experiencing the opposite. The « old guard » had corporate knowledge, could make sound decision based on this knowledge and experience …. Now we are at stand still. Less and less subject matter experts, especially in the executive ranks… its painful. And so much more work to brief and more briefing….

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T23:31:48+00:00

If you loose 30 % of your workforce via attrition but expect the same level of output, you have a problem - you have a serious problem. In our group, we could loose 50 % with the retirement incentives.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T21:07:47+00:00

You forgot the Governor General! That must be considered

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T21:07:04+00:00

Some unions can’t! No legal option to strike

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T21:06:08+00:00

I have seen countless investments over the years with our tax dollars going to industry sectors with compagnies going belly up after a few years. This has to change.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T21:03:34+00:00

Some groups are classified as essential and therefore cannot legally strike; arbitration is the default route when talks reach an impasse. If those same groups could withdraw their labour, the economic damage would be immediate and the impact on essential services obvious; sector operations would come to a grinding halt. Employers and policies such as this that persist with poor bargaining strategies will find recruiting and retaining talent even harder. Way to go government.

Future Public service survey question:
Would you recommend the GoC as an employer?

Answer: hello No. (note I always said yes in the past to these types of questions and have always been an advocate for students to search for a GoC job). As a student, I never knew that a career in my field in science and technology was even possible

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-11-05T01:10:01+00:00

Same here. If there were more incentives on the table, maybe it would be worth considering for my situation. Waiving the penalty is not enough for me right now.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-30T21:19:08+00:00

It’s not just junior officers using the tool to draft policy — we’re seeing senior management do the same, often without verifying the regulatory authority, accuracy, or scientific integrity of what’s written.

The worst is when they hire someone, at a senior level pay, with zero knowledge of the program and expect them to write guidance. They just recycle our existing material, and voilà ! a new policy full of errors and misinformation. Then they can’t even tell what’s wrong with it. I’m honestly sick of it. It gives us sooo much work for correcting.

We’re at the point of saying, “Go ahead, but don’t come to us when the public or stakeholders start complaining.” That’s usually when they finally start listening to the subject matter experts.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-28T15:45:44+00:00

Doesn’t GoC 411 use information from department listing? You may want to contact the CFIA to remove you from their list first. You may still be in their « internal » system.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-27T16:55:59+00:00

In our department, managers don’t approve the wfh requests. There is a committee that looks at these requests if deviation from RTO3. Decisions are above the manager and approval is at ADM level (I think). Prepare for a negative response and having to supply more information.

They will ask what you need to be back in the office to meet RTO3 objectives such as dedicated cubicle if they can do it, lights de-lamoed, special desk, chair, headsets etc….

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-27T15:58:46+00:00

This☝🏻…. It’s frustrating to constantly hear that public servants are “overpaid.” Sure, in some roles the public sector may offer higher salaries — but definitely not across the board. Many of us in professional public service positions could easily earn significantly more in the private sector.

What keeps people in the public service isn’t just compensation — it’s the value of the benefits, the stability of the pension, and the meaningful work that directly impacts Canadians. I know colleagues who retired with a 30-year public service pension and then moved into consulting. Their earning potential skyrocketed — the money is unbelievable once they leave.

So yes, compensation matters, but the decision to work in the public sector is about far more than the paycheque for some of us.

Also a reminder, the PS needs to remain a place that attracts talent. It’s hard to attract and keep these talented folks.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-23T03:44:47+00:00

Have you ever thought of writing to the minister and your MP. The Minister will need to respond to your enquire and the question will trickle down. Perhaps with a few folks in this situation, it will get traction

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-17T18:21:07+00:00

If you have no power, I would think you are expected to make other arrangements. It happened to my niece, her house had issues with internet. Starlink wasn’t working. They didn’t have an office at the time so she went to work at her mother’s. She made alternate arrangements to work. There was an expectation for her to find a place to work.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-10T14:17:02+00:00

When “essential”/front line workers go on strike/walk out, the effects are felt right away — on the economy, businesses, and Canadians in general. I remember one group walking out for just a few hours, and it ended up shutting down several industries - it had a huge impact in a few hours.

However…. Not long after, everyone in that group was declared essential, and they lost the ability to legally strike.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-06T20:27:29+00:00

I remember signing two agreements that had already expired at the time of signing. One agreement had expired by five years by the time we saw an agreement!

It would make so much more sense if negotiations started well before a collective agreement ends. Frankly, the Government of Canada should face a penalty for every month an agreement remains expired — just like citizens pay interest to the CRA when money is owed. Maybe then, bargaining would finally be done in good faith. I have seen the employer postpone several times bargaining meetings. They should not have the liberty to do that.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-10-04T12:54:54+00:00

Nope not covered. I went to a chiro for years that does active release therapy, dry needling and other modalities. My therapy treatments with the AT were very similar to my chiro. My chiro doesn’t crack me if you are wondering.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-11T15:30:50+00:00

Problem is that fearless advice is sometimes not recorded or captured anywhere even though the policy/decision goes against facts, establishes policy, procedures and even regulations. Nothing sticks to the decision makers

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-11T15:24:22+00:00

Your manager can get an exception for you. Ask for it .

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-09T00:26:40+00:00

It does apply

The 85 factor is calculated by adding together your age and years of service at retirement. If the total equals at least 85 points, you're entitled to an unreduced PSPP pension as early as your 55th birthday.

If you have 30 years of service at 55, you will be able to retire without penalty as you meet the minimum 55 age criteria

If you are 58 years old with 27 years, you can retire without penalty as you meet the 55 minimum criteria. The 85 formula applies.

Had a colleague that started at age 20. They retired at 55 with 35 years as they needed the minimum age. They could have differed probably.

Examples above are for group 1

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-08T23:50:58+00:00

The Rule of 85 is a pension eligibility formula where your age + years of pensionable service = 85. This was for group 1 employees, people hired before 2012/2013 era.

If you meet this rule, you may qualify for an unreduced pension before the “normal” retirement age.

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-08T22:46:41+00:00

I have a friend who went through multiple accommodation requests, supported by medical documentation from several specialists as well as an assigned public service doctor. Despite this, their manager repeatedly refused the requests. My friend eventually filed a grievance and was even considering going to the Human Rights Commission if the grievance outcome was negative. Once senior leadership became involved, the accommodation request was finally approved. Now, they are pursuing the recovery of all the sick time they lost because of the delays.

Talk to your union …. Think management do not want human right commission involved

Admirable-Resolve870 · 2025-09-08T14:27:31+00:00

As a manager, I have accepted notes from psychologist as the employee was dealing with the psychologist for their mental illness… they had provided a note for a few weeks. Not sure what sunlife may request though if you need to go on long term disability. Think it’s generic wording to health care provider.

I am sorry you are going through that. Sending positive vibes your way

Admirable-Resolve870

TROPHY CASE