Support & Administrative Staff Prescription Drug Claims and use of your Drug Card   (Posted 30-June-06)

By presenting this card to your pharmacist you will only need to pay 15% of the cost of your medications. However, if you do not use the card, your reimbursement could be affected due to the mark up of the cost of the drugs by the pharmacist.

 An employee may be out of pocket for medical prescriptions when using credit cards to pay for their prescriptions. Each time the Pay Direct card is used, the pharmacist would be notified on line of the current price for that drug. If the card is not presented at the time of purchase, the pharmacist is not aware of, or restricted to, charging according to the specific guidelines of the point of sale drug card. 

Change in Sun Life Definition of Common Law Status  (Posted 30-June-06)

 Please be aware that a partner/spouse must cohabitate for a period of not less than 1 year to be considered as an eligible dependent.

Employee Assistance Program - "Balancing Act" (Posted 26June-06)

As part of WarrenShepell's prevention-focused communication, we present the "Balancing Act" — a monthly work-life tip sheet designed to promote employee behaviour change, and improve physical and emotional well-being among the working population.

As well, I welcome you to make use of our entire "Balancing Act" series available on the WarrenShepell website, www.warrenshepell.com, to help address a variety of employee work-life issues.

Orientation Schedule (Posted 2-June-06)

As per Directive 16 - Please click here for the scheduled new hire start dates and checklists for the current budget year (effective June 5, 2006). Should you have questions regarding this schedule, please contact Nigel Parker at x 5366 or call x7660 for assistance.

Diabetic Supplies Listing (Posted 31-May-06)

Please click here for a listing of the eligible expenses for diabetic supplies under the Sun Life Benefit Plans.

Change to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (Posted 16-May-06)

Please click here for Memorandum regarding changes to our EAP program.

Faculty Strike Related Q&A From CAAT Pension (Posted 11-Apr-06)

Please click here to view a list of commonly asked questions, as they relate to
the CAAT Pension Plan and the Faculty Strike that took place from March 7-24, 2006.

You will note that Members who are expecting to retire within the next five years are encouraged to buy back the earnings lost during the strike period, in order to enhance their earnings calculation and their resulting pension benefit.

It was also stated that retroactive pay gained as a result of the work stoppage would have regular contributions made and would qualify for inclusion in Pensionable Earnings, provided the Member had not retired.

When this information was posted, Plan officials assumed that retroactive pay would be awarded before the end of June 2006, when a number of Academic Members may be retiring. However, it is now clear that retroactive pay will not be paid by this date.

Therefore, any retroactive pay relating to the work stoppage that is awarded after a Member’s retirement in June 2006 will have regular contributions deducted, will count towards Pensionable Earnings, and will result in a recalculation of the pension.

Note that the requirement to purchase the 14 days of work stoppage to have them count for Pensionable Earnings still applies. This transaction must be completed before the date of retirement or termination.

Union/Management Joint Information Sessions have been scheduled on the following dates for full-time support staff.  Reservations to attend a specific session must be made in advance.  Please contact Prunella Hickson at hicksop@algonquincollege.com or (613) 727-4723 ext. 2960 to register.

You will receive notification of which session you are registered for.  Please do not attend a session for which you have not received a notice of confirmation.

To those part-time staff that have recently been notified by Human Resources Services (via letters sent to your home) regarding your eligibility to enroll in the CAAT Pension Plan, please register for an information session ASAP by emailing drummoj@algonquincollege.com.

Sessions are being held as follows:

For those notified of eligibility, you must attend one of the above-noted sessions in order to enroll in the Plan.

Support Staff Agreement Available Electronically (posted 12-Jan-06)

The 2005-2008 Support Staff Collective Agreement is now posted electronically for viewing.  Please click here to open a copy of the document in PDF format.  If you have any questions regarding the changes contained, please contact Human Resources Services at (613) 727-4723, ext. 7660.  Printed copies will be distributed when available.

Support Staff Collective Agreement Ratified (posted 26-Sep-05)

Effective September 22, 2005, the new Support Staff Collective Agreement has been ratified.  The new agreement is valid from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008.

All updates on the HRIS website have been made and noted for those interested in reading about the new changes.  A complete version of the new Collective Agreement will be posted on this site as soon as it becomes available.

The College will be implementing the new wage grids, and making the corresponding retro-payments, within the next four weeks.

New Wage Scales - Effective April 1, 2005 (posted 30-Mar-05)

Effective April 1, 2005, all full-time employees will be moved to their new wage scales, depending on their employment group.  This will be reflected on the paydate of April 8.  For the salary scales in full, please select the appropriate link below:

Academic Staff

Support Staff

Administrative Staff

Support Staff Performance Review Form Now Online (posted 2-Mar-05)

It has come to our attention that the PDF cannot be saved while in draft.  Changes to the document will be forthcoming to correct this problem.

The Support Staff Performance Review Form is now available in an interactive online PDF!  The final draft will need to be printed, signed, and then forwarded to Human Resources Services (as per past practice).  The content of the performance review has remained the same.

Follow the HRS Forms Online link on the left toolbar for your copy.  Please contact Katherine Fuller if you have any questions about how to use the form.

Information Session Schedule - Retiree Benefits (posted 23-Feb-05)

Please click here for a full schedule of information sessions regarding changes to retiree benefits.  No registration is required.  Further dates in Perth and Pembroke to follow.

Retiree Benefits Information (posted 14-Feb-05)

All information regarding changes to retiree benefits has been consolidated on one webpage, which can be viewed through the HRS Knowledge Centre (entitled "Retiree Benefits"), or by clicking here. 

The site currently includes details on the new benefit plans and a PowerPoint presentation regarding the changes which was created by Connie Powers, Manager of Compensation, Pension & Benefits.  All information on retiree benefits will now be maintained on this new site.

Vacation Liability Agreements (posted 14-Feb-05)

The Vacation Liability Agreement has now been posted in PDF format in the HRS Forms webpage.  The form will be available in an "interactive" format in the near future.

Sun Life Benefits Survey (posted 11-Feb-05)

We are currently experiencing problems with the links to the Sun Life survey and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  A new notice will be posted on My Algonquin when the links have been repaired.

Sun Life is soliciting your feedback regarding your benefit plan!  Please click on one of the links below to complete the survey.

Sun Life Benefits Survey (English Version) 

Sun Life Benefits Survey (French Version)

New Benefit Premium Rates  (posted 10-Jan-05)

Effective February 1, 2005, new benefit premiums will come into effect for all current and retired Academic and Support Staff.  Please click on the appropriate links below to view the new premium rates.

Introductory Memo from the Council

Active Support Staff Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Retired Support Staff Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Active Academic Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Retired Academic Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Active Admin Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Retired Admin Premiums - Effective Feb 1/05

Questions may be directed to Diane Ross Mathers.

End of Admin Life Insurance Premium Holiday (posted 10-Jan-05)

Please be advised that after a 10 year premium holiday on the Optional - Employee Pay-All Life Insurance (10,000 to 100,000 additional coverage) the premium holiday will end effective February 1, 2005. 

Should you wish to revise your life insurance coverage please contact Diane Ross Mathers or Kelly Irwin in writing. 

To view the cost of this coverage, please click here for a table of premiums.

Changes to Early Retirement Benefit Rates (posted 7-Jan-05)

Effective September 1, 2005, ALL College employees who retire prior to age 65 will no longer be pooled with active employees for retiree benefit premium rating purposes.  This will have the effect of increasing the premiums for those currently considering early retirement.

Should you opt for early retirement on or before August 31, 2005, and you are not 65 years of age at your date of retirement, you will continue to pay premiums based on the participation of the active benefit group (i.e., those employees currently working).  You could then maintain these benefits until your 65th birthday.  If you retire on or after September 1, 2005, you will pay premiums based on the retiree's claim experience and you will be able to maintain the "Post Retirement Benefits" as outlined in the Collective Agreements and Terms & Conditions of Employment.

Please contact Diane Ross Mathers for further information.

Changes to Out-Of-Province Coverage Under the EHC Plan (posted 7-Jan-05)

Please click here to view a memo from the Council detailing the changes to the Extended Health Care Plan as it relates to out-of-province or out-of-country emergency coverage.  Employees are now required to call a toll-free number for pre-approval prior to any medical treatments being received outside of Ontario.  Should they not do so, they risk the denial of their claim.

Please note: Your Extended Health Care Plan is not intended at full travel insurance and it is strongly recommended that employees obtain additional coverage.

Please contact Diane Ross Mathers for further information.

Changes to Extended Health Care for Admin Staff: Increase in Paramedical Allowance (posted 30-Sep-04)

Please contact Kelly Irwin for further information.

Demutualization Update: End of Supplemental Life Premium Holiday for Academic Staff (posted 30-Sep-04)

Effective September 30, 2004, the premium holiday on Supplemental Life Insurance for Academics will come to an end.  This change will be reflected on the pay of October 8th in the amount of a $1.10 deduction per $10,000 of coverage, per employee.  Please click on the above link for a complete schedule of premium holidays for all groups of employees and when they are expected to be terminated.

Please contact Kelly Irwin for further information.

Increase to Admin Retiree Life Insurance (posted 30-Sep-04)

Effective November 1, 2004, coverage for all retired administrative employees will increase to $10,000. The premium rate will remain at $2.25 /$1000.

Please contact Kelly Irwin for further information.

Change in Commuted Value Calculations (posted 12-Aug-04)

Effective February 1, 2005, the basis used for calculating commuted values on termination of CAAT Pension Plan membership will be changing.  For those members who leave the plan after February 1, 2005, commuted value calculations will be based on new criteria.  Members who are considering termination should be aware of this situation as they make future plans.

Commuted value calculations take place when an employee is terminating their employment with the College and chooses to withdraw from the pension plan.  If the employee has been contributing for less than 2 years, they may simply take the cash value.  If they have been contributing for more than 2 years, these contributions are "vested" and may only be withdrawn in order to transfer the equivalent value to a locked-in RRSP.  Thus, a commuted value is essentially the cash value of an employee's pension.

Commuted values are dependent on a variety of factors, including age and interest rates.  For further information regarding commuted values, please contact Connie Powers.

This does not affect individuals considering retirement.

Please click here to read the full document from CAAT Pension.

Demutualization Update: End of Dependent Life Premium Holiday for Admin (posted 2-Jun-04)

Effective May 31, 2004, the premium holiday on Dependent Life Insurance for Administrators came to an end.  This change will be reflected on the pay of June 4 in the amount of a $4.05 deduction per employee.  Please click on the above link for a complete schedule of premium holidays for all groups of employees and when they are expected to be terminated.

Please contact Kelly Irwin for further information.

Update on Critical Illness and Increased Optional Life Insurance for Academic Staff (posted 2-Jun-04)

Further to the ratification of the Academic Collective Agreement on March 31, 2004, this is to update you on the following two benefits:

Critical Illness (Article 19.01)

The Joint Insurance Committee has commenced work with Sun Life and Heath Lambert Consulting on plan design and implementation issues. Because of the level of communication that will be needed to support this benefit, the JIC has identified a rollout date of January 1, 2005 to allow for administrative processes to be established and for adequate communication of the benefit to both employees and college administrators.  No further information about this benefit is available to the College.

Employee Pay All Optional Life (Article 19.07)

Sun Life has now finalized the necessary changes to their system to accommodate the increased levels of Optional Life coverage (an additional $40,000).  New employees can receive this benefit automatically with no medical questionnaire required.  Existing employees must contact Human Resources to apply for this benefit, with approval subject to the completion of a medical questionnaire.  Applicants must also have maximum coverage under Supplemental Life Insurance ($60,000) in order to receive the Employee Pay All Optional Life benefit.

Please contact Kelly Irwin if you have any questions about these or other benefits.