FYI – Vacation

The amount of vacation time each CUPE476 member is entitled to each year is determined by the number of years they have worked for the school district:

  • Less than 1 year: 0.834 days per month
  • After 1 year: 2 weeks per year
  • After 2 years: 3 weeks per year
  • After 7 years: 4 weeks per year
  • After 15 years: 5 weeks per year
  • After 20 years: 6 weeks per year

The amount an employee is entitled to is based on 2% of their previous year’s earnings per week. This does not include income not paid by the district (LIF funds are exempt, for example) (Collective Agreement, Section 22.01).

In addition, starting on their tenth year of service and every five years after that, the employee will receive a single week of supplementary vacation (22.02).

Broadly speaking, CUPE476 members can be divided into twelve-month and ten-month workers, with ten-month workers being laid off at the end of the school year. Both groups of workers are entitled to vacation time. however, due to the nature of our work, the way those vacations are distributed is different.

  • Twelve-month employees can take vacations throughout the year, they must request time off for vacations one month in advance.
  • Ten-month employees are paid out for their vacation time on each paycheque, and are expected to take their vacation during the breaks in the school year. This restriction does not apply to supplementary vacation.

FYI – Keeping a Work Journal

Due to a recent increase of violent incidents across the country – friendly reminder to take the Violence and Harassment in Schools survey – CUPE476 is recommending that members keep journals to track their day-to-day experiences on the job.

Keeping a journal is a great way to act with more intention in your role, noting the efficacy of your interventions, tracking the progress of your students, and having a record of successes. In addition it can prove useful if you are injured or experience a violent incident to prove that you followed procedures.

How to keep a work journal:

  • Update daily, weekly, or as needed.
    • Doesn’t need to be exhaustive, just the important parts.
  • Record incidents, near misses, conversations with superiors or parents.
  • Keep track of interventions and methods used, and their efficacy.
  • Keep track of student interactions and progress.
  • Include time and place + Important details.
  • Use a book, phone app, or document file.
    • Do not use a document on employer-owned server. This is your personal record.

Whatever form your journal takes, keep it professional:

  • Instead of using full names, use initials only.
  • Don’t let students see you writing about them.
  • Keeping a journal doesn’t replace official reporting:
    • Fill out the appropriate WorkSafe forms to report an injury or near miss.
    • Fill out the appropriate qathet School District forms if you experience violence, bullying or harassment.
    • Contact the Union if you feel as though your concerns have not been taken seriously, or you are asked to do something you aren’t comfortable with.