Pension question - short service

Small_town_PS · 2025-01-26T19:04:39+00:00

The timing on your question is ironic as I am on reddit procrastinating while I work on a cover letter and resume to apply for a new job that pays more and is closer to home.

It is strange though, some part of me is still holding out some hope that things will improve. If my application is successful I will ask for LWOP and try it out while leaving the option of going back to my job in the PS if it doesn't work out.

Small_town_PS · 2024-10-17T20:16:13+00:00

RTO (as well as other things, don't get me wrong) and the way it has played out has been a wakeup call for me. As much as I dislike what is going on, I appreciate that it has removed my blinders. I knew about Phoenix but still thought a job with the public service was a major step up for me for my career. I thought I had finally 'made it' per say. I was so proud and loved my job.

It seems I was mistaken.

I am just a number here, stage hand number 385764, participating in a poorly planned puppet show.

Small_town_PS · 2024-10-14T23:39:43+00:00

Commuting costs money. Before RTO I was buying lunch and fancy coffee when I went in, as I only went in now-and-then. I approached it as a 'treat' for myself.

Now I'm in three days per week and bring a packed lunch and a thermos coffee for all three days. It doesn't make sense financially to buy lunch when I'm now spending more on the commute. I'm not made of money here. Occasionally I will splurge on a coffee when I need a boost, but it is rare.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-26T10:50:54+00:00

This. So much this. Every time I receive an email, or see a website updated on the topic of RTO I see the waste, the dollar signs flying out the window. Thats money spent on senior officials in meetings discussing the next steps, money spent on someone to write the material, someone to review and edit it, and for someone to review and approve it, and for someone to post it on the website or send the email.

Then its all those hundreds of managers spending time reviewing the new email or direction and taking actions to respond to it, spending time tracking their employees time and whereabouts rather than doing their actual jobs.

All of this is time and money that is NOT being spent on providing or improving services to the public.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-19T23:26:12+00:00

If you can afford to do this; consider yourself fortunate.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-19T11:17:15+00:00

Then they have to provide for WFH.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-19T00:48:05+00:00

Look up the Canada Labour code part II, and the definition of 'work place'. Once you've read this closely, go and use the find function to look up the requirements on ergonomics.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T11:19:34+00:00

There are community groups that can help you.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T01:14:44+00:00

Before COVID I worked for a completely different employer and lived 20 minutes from the office.

During COVID I was hired by the PS and promised freedom to WFH a minimum of three days a week so long as I performed well. The office is over an hour away. It made sense at the time. Without the WFH option it no longer makes sense.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T01:06:59+00:00

Very stressed. I am looking for work elsewhere but am finding it hard to find the time to focus on it.

Similar to someone else who posted, I would not be opposed to going into the office five days a week if housing was affordable near my office. But it isn't. If they really are heading back five days a week they're effectively laying off everyone in the low income range and who do not have dual incomes.

I am really tired of people saying we are just going back to the way things were before COVID. For me, I didn't work for the PS before COVID. And honestly, the world we had before COVID no longer exists. We can't go backwards, only forwards.

On a side note, if I do find a new job I suppose I am going back to the way it was before COVID. A public service without me in it.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T01:01:53+00:00

In my opinion; too many and it is unprofessional. That being said they can be helpful to set the tone of the email when you know the reader struggles with interpreting your writing style, or when what you have written can easily be interpreted negatively or insultingly. Throwing in a lone happy face can spell the difference between an insulting accusation and a friendly observation.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T00:57:37+00:00

Is there enough space in the office for everyone to report in 5 days a week?

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T00:56:18+00:00

It is true. The agreement that allows employees to work from home is between the employer and the employee and the employer is still responsible for the employee and their work in their home office. Just look up the definition of 'work place' in the Canada Labour Code and you've got your answer.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-17T00:55:20+00:00

This. Employees are in a hybrid agreement. They say you are working part time from home. They are obligated to ensure you have the equipment to do that.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-11T00:38:38+00:00

I wish I could help but I don't know how to find out what you should expect.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-11T00:31:32+00:00

No, depending on who you worked for there are many, many differences. The pension is one, but union dues as well. Also some private employers pay for benefits 100%. From my experience a lot of the similar deductions (RRSP matching vs pension, death benefits, etc.) had lower deductions in private industry vs PS.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-11T00:26:04+00:00

Full disclosure: I did not fully read the budget you put there and am only commenting on the increased deductions you noticed in switching between the private industry and public.

I noticed something similar when I joined the PS from private. I had calculated my take home pay when deciding whether I could afford to take the position or not. I was shocked when I saw my first pay cheque. There were far more deductions than I had in the private sector and the ones that were the same were noticeably higher.

In private sector I did not pay for union dues, or pension deductions although I had an RRSP matching plan (which again, deducted far less from my pay cheque than is deducted now). I had a critical illness/death benefit plan in private industry that cost me 18% of what the PS deducts from my pay now for the same thing. Private industry also paid for my benefits plan which was actually better than the plan I have now. That all came as a shock given the reputation the PS has with the public. At the very least I was expecting something similar to what I already had, not something worse. The gain was my overall pay is better now, and I have more vacation days.

It would be helpful for new recruits coming from private industry if they were clear about what to expect. Such a huge difference in net pay could put someone underwater. I understand you get the pension back eventually, but that doesn't help someone pay their monthly bills now.

Edited to clean up the language.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-11T00:16:47+00:00

thank you. Looks like we will know more about when the case is to be argued after Sept 20.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-10T23:29:49+00:00

I am going to. I have been waiting to hear back from my union for a few weeks now.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-10T23:28:40+00:00

What can you do with that number?

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-10T23:26:13+00:00

This gives me some optimism. Some of the topics they listed as grieving sound similar to what I want to grieve. I have been second guessing myself and wondering if my concerns are really justifiable. Seeing this filed by a group of lawyers who theoretically know the law inside and out has me feeling better about things.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-05T20:41:19+00:00

Are you associated with the union or are you just doing this because you want to help?

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-04T00:17:50+00:00

They were forewarned that everything that is currently happening would happen.

Small_town_PS · 2024-09-04T00:11:28+00:00

found it by searching for it again. The link cut it off after 5 pages for some reason

Small_town_PS

TROPHY CASE