Work Force Adjustment
General principles for application
The WFAA sets out a number of principles for its application, including:
- The employer shall maximize employment opportunities for indeterminate employees affected by work force adjustment, primarily through ensuring that, wherever possible, alternative employment opportunities are provided to them.
- It is the responsibility of departments or organizations to ensure employees involved in a work force adjustment situation are treated equitably and given every reasonable opportunity to continue their careers as public service employees (1.1.1).
- Departments shall carry out effective human resource planning in order to minimize the impact of work force adjustment situations (1.1.2).
- Departments shall cooperate with the Public Service Commission and each other in minimizing the impact of work force adjustment situations and shall identify situations where retraining can facilitate appointment of those involved (1.1.4, 4.1.2).
- Departments shall apply the appendix so as to minimize involuntary lay-offs (1.1.14)
- Alternative delivery initiatives will be guided by the principles of fair and reasonable treatment of employees, value for money and affordability and maximization of employment opportunities for employees (preamble to part VII).
Although the Appendix allows the government to implement lay-offs, these over-riding principles compel your employer to make every reasonable effort to avoid them. As the remaining info sheets outline, these broad principles are supported by detailed, specific procedures designed to minimize lay-offs.
Note that the WFAA only applies to indeterminate employees. Unfortunately, term employees are not covered by the WFAA.Date Modified : 2012/05/28
