Don’t Treat Mutual Agreement as Automatic Approval
SAFA’s review of Mutual Agreement submissions over the past three academic years shows a clear trend: the use of Mutual Agreement Forms continues to increase across the institution. In the last 10 months alone, SAIT management requested exceptions to workload provisions in the SAFA Collective Agreement more than 450 times.
Mutual Agreement Forms are used when faculty are asked to work outside the workload limits outlined in Section 36 of the Collective Agreement or the Faculty Workload Guidelines (attached). These may include exceptions related to scheduling, instructional hours, or other workload parameters.
Importantly, these exceptions are only permitted when the instructor explicitly agrees. A conversation, Teams message, or email exchange is not sufficient documentation. The digital Mutual Agreement form must be completed and signed, and the form itself includes both a “Yes” and a “No” option for faculty to select. Agreement should not be automatic or assumed. However, SAFA is increasingly concerned that workload Mutual Agreement is being treated as routine or administrative at our institution – something instructors are simply expected to agree to. That is not the intent of the process.
The ability for faculty to say “no” to work outside the Collective Agreement is one of the strongest protections we have for maintaining reasonable workload limits over time. If every exception request is automatically approved, temporary pressures can quickly become normalized expectations. Mutual Agreement is intended to ensure that these situations remain voluntary, documented, and limited – not part of regular workload practice.
The documentation also matters because these forms are one of the only ways SAFA can monitor workload patterns across the institution and identify where “temporary” pressures may be turning into ongoing workload increases.
A reminder to faculty: If a workload exception request does not fit your personal or professional circumstances, you have the right to decline. If you feel pressured to agree, or if you have questions about the process,contact SAFA. We are here to support you and ensure that Mutual Agreement remains truly mutual.
In Solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
SAFA Labour Relations Officer
You Are Invited!
We hope to see all members at the SAFA/AUPE BBQ on Thursday, May 21st.
This is a members-only event and no registration is required.
Date: Thursday, May 21, 4-7:30pm
Location: Sign in at Macdonald Hall/ Heritage Hall building
Details: Food & 2 free drink tickets will be available. Cash bar to follow.
Complementary taxi vouchers will be available to help you get home safely.