Specialist Work: If You’re Doing the Role, You’re Owed the Load
Over the past several months, SAFA has heard from faculty members who have been assigned or “voluntold” to take on coordination or leadership responsibilities in their programs. In some cases, these roles come with a title (Course Lead, Mentor, Scheduling Coordinator). In other cases, the title is absent, but the work is very real. If you are doing the work, you get the release (off-load) time.
What Counts as Specialist Work?
For faculty, specialist work may include:
- Coordinating multiple sections or course scheduling in a program
- Supporting other instructors teaching the same course
- Leading curriculum updates or standardization
- Managing accreditation documentation and reporting
If the role goes beyond routine committee work and involves ongoing program-level responsibility, it likely qualifies as a specialist appointment. That work cannot be just absorbed into your existing Professional Duties (PD) time.
What Do the Guidelines Say?
The Faculty Workload Guidelines (attached to this message), include examples of specialist work including mentoring or Course Lead. The Guidelines go on to say, “Specialist positions shall have project load included in CCH to allow for the additional professional duties (previously known as ‘off-loading’).” The language is clear: If you are assigned specialist work, your workload must reflect that responsibility and that adjustment is to be included in Class Contact Hours (CCH). This is not optional or something to “figure out later.”
What Should Happen?
If you are assigned specialist work:
- Your workload assignment must be provided in writing at least four weeks before the term begins and include CCH, CMA consideration, and PD assignments. Specialist work or larger projects must be clearly identified in that document.
- The project load (off-load) must be built into CCH.
What If You Don’t Agree?
You have the right to use the workload complaint process found in the Faculty Workload Guidelines.
- Submit your concern in writing to your Academic Chair within five (5) workdays of receiving the workload assignment.
- The Academic Chair must respond in writing within five (5) workdays.
- If unresolved, you may file a formal complaint to the Workload Monitoring Group (WMG) – contact SAFA immediately for details.
The WMG process is binding and includes faculty representation. It exists precisely for situations where workload does not align with the Guidelines
A Final Reminder
You cannot be required to absorb additional leadership, coordination, or specialist responsibilities without workload recognition. If you are being asked to “just update this course” or “help out new faculty” without a CCH adjustment, pause and review your workload assignment carefully. If something does not align with the Guidelines, contact your SAFA Representative or the SAFA Office.
In Solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
SAFA Labour Relations Officer
_______________________________________________________________________________
Reminder: ACIFA Conference Subsidy Available
A reminder that SAFA has updated the ACIFA conference subsidy process to manage rising costs and ensure funds remain available to members. For the 2026 ACIFA Conference, approved members will pay conference expenses up front and be reimbursed after the event, up to $1,200 per member. The registration deadline is March 20, 2026. Please ensure you have department authorization and confirmed SAIT PD funding before contacting Kathie Dann to confirm SAFA funding availability. For complete details, see the January 27th SAFA message or contact the SAFA Office.
