President of Treasury Board releases details of supports and benefits package

President of Treasury Board Anna Thistle today released details of the supports and benefits package available to the 275 employees whose positions are being relocated through regionalization of government services announced last month.

"Government continues to be sensitive to the impact this policy has on employees and their families," said Minister Thistle. "We will continue to work with individuals and we will make every effort to ensure a smooth transition. We hope that the enhancements available to them in addition to the current relocation policy will help with their move."

In addition to the current relocation policy which covers such items as the sale of current residence, the purchase of a new residence, transportation of furniture and household effects, and temporary living expenses, affected employees will be entitled to such benefits as:

• a five-day house-hunting trip for the entire family, instead of just employee and spouse, as well as a three-day personal business trip for the employee to clue up incomplete business;

• one-time cash payment of $1,000 to each employee relocating to cover extraordinary expenses;

• home equity assistance program which will provide employees with compensation up to $15,000 for any loss incurred in the sale of their principal residence;

• personal financial counselling, to a maximum value of $300 will be provided;

• temporary employees who meet the criteria will be made permanent;

• permanent employees will be given priority consideration for lateral transfers back to St. John�s after working for two years in the new site (This priority will expire four years after date of move.);

• a community host in each community to assist in the transition to the new community.

"Affected employees have now been given a package of materials to assist them in making their decisions," noted the minister. "Once they have had a chance to review the contents, they are encouraged to sit down with departmental staff to discuss their options. These individualized meetings are starting immediately. For those who are unable to relocate, there are also some options which may help to accommodate them."

Some of the initiatives which may accommodate employees who are unable to relocate include:

• Redeployment of these employees into vacancies elsewhere in the public service;

• A clearing centre has been established to review whether any jobs currently being filled in the public service could be filled by an employee who is not accepting a relocated position;

• Voluntary relocation by unaffected employees. Essentially, anyone not currently scheduled for relocation, but interested in a lateral transfer to a like classification in one of the new locations could job switch, and be entitled to all of the benefits outlined above;

• Voluntary resignation of an employee to vacate a position that could be filled by an employee designated to move. These individuals would be entitled to receive "Voluntary Departure Benefits" already established;

• Career support services.

"We believe that the majority of individuals will either choose to move with their positions, or will be accommodated throughout the system," said Minister Thistle. "At the end of this process, there will obviously be people who cannot be placed in appropriate positions. When all efforts to do so have been exhausted, access to bumping and redundancy benefits will kick in. While we cannot guarantee a job for those unable to relocate, we are working to avoid job loss wherever possible."

Throughout the process, employees have assurances that government will be working closely with its employees and their families on an individual basis to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Media contact: Carmel Parsons, Communications, (709) 729-6830.

2000 08 21 11:35 a.m.

• Information Kit for Employees (PDF format)
• Information Kit for Employees (Word Perfect format)