when you are hired: You have the right to meet with your employment supervisor to discuss your duties.  Take a copy of the job posting and ask questions about  the specifics of the appointment.  If you are a TA, Grader/Marker, Lab Demonstrator, Seminar Leader, or Tutor, you may need to ask about the distribution of hours during the term, important dates and timelines for each assignment/task, marking methods, materials and resources, and if you are expected to attend lectures.  You should also find out if your department will provide you with time sheets.

orientation: If you are required to attend an orientation or any other form of training for your position, you are entitled to pay for the time you spend at that orientation/training.  This includes mandatory Health and Safety training.

hours: The job posting should include the estimated total number of hours for the appointment as well as an estimate of the hours per week.  Use your department’s time sheets or our “I don’t work for free” timesheets to keep your supervisor up-to-date.  Remember that meetings with your supervisor and attendance at lectures, if they are required, are considered work.  It is common for contract hours to be used up before the end of the term.  If it looks like your hours will run out, you should call a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the issue.  If your supervisor approves the additional hours, you will be paid.  If your supervisor refuses, you are not legally entitled to refuse to work (you may only legally refuse work if it puts your safety at risk).  Refusing work may result in discipline or dismissal.  Continue working, but keep detailed records of the hours and all conversations with your supervisor.  If this happens, contact CUPE 3909.

material: Your department should provide you with the material, resources, and space you need to perform your duties.

evaluations: Positive employment evaluations are used in future job hiring.  You are entitled to one evaluation per appointment and if this is an in-class evaluation, you’ll get 2 calendar days’ notice to inform your students and to prepare. You will receive a written report of the evaluation and if you are unhappy with its contents, you should contact the local to represent you.  You may request a meeting with the evaluator, an additional evaluation and/or add your own comments before the evaluation is put in your employment file.

job security: After completing an appointment satisfactorily, the University will inform you that you are in a Job Security Period.  That means that you will be continued in the same position for up to 4 years from your first date of registration in an Undergrad program, 2 years from your first date of registration in a Master’s program, and 4 years from your first date of registration in a PhD program.  If the appointment is discontinued, you may be assigned an alternate/similar position that opens up.  While you are in your JSP, you will also accumulate seniority (total number of hours worked).  Your seniority will expire at the end of each JSP.  That is, seniority hours accumulated during your Undergrad JSP will not carry over to your Master’s JSP, and Master’s hours will not carry over to a PhD program .

seniority: When two candidates are equally qualified for a position and JSP is not a factor, seniority will determine who is hired.  Check your seniority in JUMP and contact us if you see an error.

sick and compassionate leave: If you are unable to perform your regular duties because of illness, injury or a death in your family, you are entitled to the pay for the work you would have otherwise done.  You must, however, meet the conditions that apply.

course cancellation fees: If you have already been hired as a Lecturer/Instructor when a course is cancelled, you may be entitled to a cancellation fee.