Winter Standard Workload Forms (SWF) should be sliding into your mailboxes by now and with them come a lot of confusion and complaints. Knowing how to read your SWF is the key to protecting yourself from unreasonable workplace demands.
The first thing to know is that your SWF must be provided to you at least six weeks before the start of the new semester. In fact, if the employer fails to provide your winter SWF in a timely manner you could receive cash as com
Second, ALL WORK must be noted on your SWF: teaching, meetings, coordinator, field placement, research, mentoring and any other work such as new course development or special projects. Be aware: your work needs to result from a “collegial” discussion with your manager. Managers have the right to assign work, but at the same time, YOU have the right to ask for changes and to express preferences or priorities. It is meant to be a positive, co-operative process.
Third, be aware of how many different courses you teach: No more than four course “preps” can be assigned to you in a given week except by voluntary agreement, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. A new Prep (course you have not taught previously or that has changed significantly) should have a higher factor of 1.1. The first prep of a course you have taught recently is calculated at 0.6. Repeat sections are calculated at 0.35.
Fourth, if you have mor than 260 students, your manager MUST initiate a conversation with you and offer you some alternatives such as extra time, less work or marking assistance. Breakout class sections are counted as a separate group of students. Failing agreement on how to address the over-260 student total, the teacher SHALL be attributed an additional 0.015 hour for every student in excess of 260.
Fifth, make sure your marking factor is accurate: if you do ONLY mechanically assisted marking, then you should get a factor of 0.15. If you do marking of short answer or written assignments, you should get a factor of 0.3. Some faculty receive a factor of 0.25 if much but not all marking is mechanically assisted.
Finally, you may “sign back” your SWF if you have a concern; do so within 72 hours of receiving your SWF. This will be flagged and reviewed by your Union reps on the Workload Monitoring Group (WMG). If you sign agreement or do not sign your SWF, you will be considered to be happy with the SWF, meaning you are okay with your workload. HOWEVER, after 72 hours, you still have the right to ask for clarifications or changes to your SWF. If you have any questions or want clarification or changes, talk to your steward.
Below is more nitty gritty explaining the important specific limits of your workload and scheduling. The relevant articles of our collective agreement (CA) are listed where applicable.
❖ All workload on your SWF must transpire during your SWF time frame
11.02 A1 Total workload shall be discussed with your supervisor. You must receive your SWF 6 weeks prior to the beginning period covered by the timetable excluding holidays and vacations. (possibleaward $850)
11.02 A4 Teacher is not in agreement with the total workload on their SWF and wishes it to be reviewed by the WMG, teacher must so indicate in writing to the supervisor within five working days.
11.02 A5 Timetable set out the schedule & location of assigned workload hours reported on the SWF, shall be provided by the college and a copy shall be given to the teacher no less than 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the period covered by the timetable (possible award $250).
11.01 L1 Contact day shall not exceed 8 hours from the beginning of the first assigned hour to the end of the last assigned hour.
11.01 E4. Audit dates (college checks for class sizes and re-issues a SWF) 3 months into a program
Fall semester – November (1st working Monday)
Winter semester – March (1st working Monday)
Spring semester – end of June
Note: at any time you can ask for a revised SWF if you class size increases (could mean $$), however, does capture your workload.
Number of different course preparations – no more than four different courses (11.01 D2)
Total weekly contact hours – max. 18 hours for post-secondary (PS), 20 hours for non-postsecondary (NPS)
➢ Cannot exceed 180 contact days per academic year (PS), 190 contact days (NPS) (11.01 K1)
Teaching Contact: (top right and bottom part of SWF)
➢ Up to 36 weeks (PS), 38 weeks (NPS) (11.01 B1)
➢ Shall not exceed 648 teaching contact hours per academic year (11.01 k3)
Complementary Functions
New Teaching Training – 4 hrs.
If under probation – 4 hrs.
Coordinator Role
➢ Step II = no hours
➢ Step I = 8 hrs. or 4 hrs. if shared responsibility
Class Size – if greater than 260, what assistance is provided (11.01 F2)
➢ 0.015 hr. per student in excess of 260
Training – 0.25 hr.
Program meetings – 0.5 hr. (track your hours as some teams exceed this allowance and should be revised on your SWF to reflect appropriately.
Open House – 0.5 hr. If listed be sure to attend. If you cannot be available, be sure to have this removed from your SWF.
Recruitment Activities – 0.5 hr. You should be aware what is required of you, therefore have it spelled out on your SWF.
Taste of Trades – 5.0 hr.
First Robotics Competition – 2.5 hr.
Comprehensive Program Review – 8.0 hr. or 4 hrs. per semester, 0.5 hr. if assisting
Other Complementary hours that are required to be mutually agreed upon:
➢ Course development
➢ Research
➢ Lab Support
Note: if not in agreement, sign your SWF to refer to WMG and be sure to make a copy and forward to the Union Office immediately.
If you have any questions please contact your steward or your local union executive at:
Simcoe Village Residence
South Hall (South-east corner entrance)
1910 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 4Y3
T: 905.721.2000 Ext. 3546