Workload can be divided into two main sections, teaching periods and non-teaching periods, such as between semesters, winter break, or May/June. Whether work is done during a period of assigned teaching or during any non-teaching period it is important that the time to do the work be credited to your workload contract, the Standard Workload Form.
The workload formula provides a weekly allocation, during the teaching period, for all the work done in the academic year. The Standard Workload Form is the key.
Learn to read your SWF. It is your contract of work, setting out what the college can expect from you, and what you are entitled to, including any overtime payments. Your supervisor is required to discuss proposed work assignments with you at least six weeks, excluding vacations, before the proposed start of the work.
You can be assigned no more than four different courses and six sections, except by your voluntary agreement to go beyond those limits.
Part of the formula is an arithmetic system designed to approximate the time needed for different types of course preparation and evaluation. Each time you receive a new SWF or revised work assignment, you should discuss the preparation and evaluation factors. Where circumstances require more time spent in preparation or evaluation, then that should be included on the SWF.
Student numbers are important. Check your class list and count heads on day one, and again on day 10 of the semester. If there are more students than on your SWF, the college estimate was too low. You are entitled to an immediate revision of your SWF. Request your supervisor to make the changes. Since the evaluation factor is multiplied by class size, it is important to use an accurate number. Remember, this is not tied to audit dates but to the date of withdrawal of registration, usually about two weeks after the start of classes. For continuous intake programs, the class size review is every three months.
All the other work you do is included under “Complementary Functions.” One of the main purposes of the workload formula was to give faculty full credit for all the work they do. Make sure that everything is there on your SWF. Be sure to include those complementary Functions done in the non-teaching periods.
Teaching contact hours are scheduled by the college. Other work, which by its nature can only be done inside the college, the college may schedule. All other work is scheduled at the discretion of the teacher. Where, when, and how you perform these tasks is restricted only by the need to meet appropriate deadlines. It is our one foothold on academic freedom.
If you wish, you can use non-teaching periods to engage in other work-related activities that do not form part of your assigned duties. However, it is important that any work directly related to your teaching assignments, including any committee or program development work be properly credited to your workload totals.
Overtime is voluntary. Overtime is earned on any work over the teaching limit of 18 hours (20 for teachers with no post secondary assignment) or the 44 hour per week workload limit. Allowable overtime is limited to one teaching hour per week and/or three workload hours.
There is no tolerance for exceeding the teaching week maximums. Under no circumstances can you be assigned or should you accept more than 36 weeks (or 38 for teachers dealing exclusively with non-post-secondary students) in any contract year.
If you are teaching more than 5 days per week, there is also the possibility of overtime for exceeding the annual teaching day limit.
No overtime can be assigned to probationary faculty.
The Workload Monitoring Group is a joint faculty/management committee. Its task is to review workload assignments and resolve any apparent difficulties. The WMG handles workload complaints. You may take issue with your SWF and send it forward to the WMG, or a complaint may arise during the assigned work period.
If you have any questions about your workload, your SWF, or the complaint process contact any member of the WMG. They have the expertise to advise you whether or not you have a reason to be concerned about your workload assignment or your SWF, and they can explain both the details of the formula and the resolution process.
All professors, counsellors, and librarians are entitled to 10 days professional development each year. This is not a part of assigned workload. All activities must be agreed upon on a voluntary basis.
Counsellors and Librarians can be assigned up to 35 hours of work in any week. There is no provision for averaging of hours. Neither is there an overtime provision for Counsellors or Librarians. The general nature of your work is covered in the Class Definitions on Pages 137 – 141 of the Collective Agreement. If any teaching is assigned, then time must be allocated for preparation and evaluation in accordance with the teachers’ formula. There is no overtime provision for Counsellors or Librarians. The work period is ten months.
Counsellors and librarians are denied access to the WMG process. Accordingly, any workload related complaints must go through the regular grievance procedure.