Some Workload Clarification
Hello everyone.
Welcome back!!
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had questions regarding several topics. I’d like to share the info with you all.
Q: “I’ve been assigned 23 CCH per week and my annual load is 608 CCH. Can they do that?”
Yes, but only if you agree to it. The reference for this is Sec. 36.11 in the SAFA Collective Agreement (CA). Specifically:
36.11 (b) Class contact hours shall not exceed the following unless agreed to by the instructor:
(i) The greater of twenty (20) hours or three percent (3%) of the applicable class contact hours, in any given week averaged over a sixteen (16) week period,
The calculation works like this: 3% of 608 = 18.24. But wait! Remember, it’s averaged over a 16 week period even though you may teach a 15 week semester, so, 18.24 X 16 = 294.81. Now divide that to get how many hours you could be assigned in a 15 week semester, 294.81 / 15 = 19.456. Since 20 is greater than 19.456, you can be assigned 20 CCH per week without asking your permission. Any load in excess of that, requires your permission and could end up being paid as overload.
Q: “Our A.C. has been pushing for our 40 hour week to be fulfilled between SAIT’s “core hours” of 8 to 4:30.”
I don’t know of any mention of “core hours” in SAIT policies or procedures and there certainly isn’t any language regarding that in the Collective Agreement. Nor is there any mention of office hours – 8 to 4:30 for example.
We have no set hours in our collective agreement. In the Continuing Education and/or Corporate Training Letter – page 78 in the CA – is where we find any hint of a block of hours,”… during any hours between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.” This gives SAIT a 10 hour window during the work day to assign class contact hours, meetings and assignable duties. Our Collective Agreement also does not stipulate that you must be present at the place of employment. However, there is an expectation that you’re available for scheduled classes, meetings with your AC, colleagues, students as well as mentoring, etc.
Further, the expectation is one of professionalism in that the work gets done. This may mean you work in excess of 40 hrs from time to time. The collective agreement states that our time is not to exceed 40 hrs – “35.01 The normal hours of work for academic staff members in the Instructor category shall not exceed 40 hours per week or the equivalent on a monthly or annual basis…”. But that infers that some weeks can be less and some more. That doesn’t mean you get to take reading week off as time in lieu – if you want it off you need to take vacation days – but there is an understanding that some weeks you’ll be on campus less than 40 hrs – hence the averaging.
It’s true that SAIT does not have a work at home policy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It is very common for Instructors to take marking home as well as other work to finish it off. I believe SAIT would fall apart if instructors adhered to a rigid 40 hrs per week policy – that’s probably why there isn’t one.
As always, please feel free to stop by the SAFA office N201 in the Burns Building or contact me directly – ext 4067 – or via e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Al