Your Workload Assignment: Know the Guidelines, Know Your Rights
It’s that time of semester when faculty begin to receive their workload assignment for upcoming semesters. Our new Collective Agreement did not change the workload assignment process, so the following key points still apply.
Understanding Your Workload Assignment
For classroom faculty, workload consists of Class Contact Hours (CCH), Class Management Hours (CMA), and Professional Duties.
CCH + CMA + Prof Duties = total workload for semester
Only CCH has an assigned number in our Collective Agreement. However, faculty should have a discussion with their Academic Chair every semester to ensure their assigned CCH allows sufficient time for CMA and Professional Duties.
If you’re unsure how these terms are defined, refer to Section 36 of the Collective Agreement and the Faculty Workload Guidelines. These guidelines also outline factors that should reduce your CCH assignment, including but not limited to:
- Multiple different course preps,
- “New to you” course preps,
- Sections with increased student enrollment,
- Assignment of scholarly activity, and
- Specialist appointments, such as Mentor or Course Lead.
Remember faculty – if you have concerns about your workload assignment, you have the right to to file a workload complaint.
Spring & Summer Impacts
A significant change taking place in Spring semester is SAIT’s expanded workday for CCH assignments. While SAIT now has the ability to assign CCH before 8:00 AM, after 6:00 PM, or on weekends for certain faculty groups, they have not yet confirmed if they plan to implement this change. SAFA has formally requested SAIT’s institutional procedures and documentation for these new workday assignments, but this information has not been provided.
For additional information about the Workload Guidelines, the new workday requirements, or the complaint process and timeline, contact your SAFA representative. SAFA is here to support you!