Skip to footer
My InfoUniversity of Ottawa Information Technology Professionals

Article 11 : working hours

11.1 Given the breakdown of working hours under 11.2 and calculated as an annual average, the length of the regular work week is thirty-five (35) hours, for a total of 1,820 hours a year.

11.2 In order for employees to take advantage of reduced summer hours, the hours referred to in 11.1 are broken down throughout the year as follows:

  • From September 1 to May 31, inclusive, the regular work week is thirty-six and a quarter (36.25) hours, with the work day being seven and a quarter (7.25) hours. The regular daily schedule is 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m;
  • From June 1 to August 31, inclusive, the regular work week is thirty-one and a quarter (31.25) hours, with the work day being six and a quarter (6.25) hours. The regular daily schedule is 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m;
  • If operational requirements allow and with the approval of the dean of the Faculty or service director as the case may be, an employee may choose not to participate in the summer work schedule and instead work an annual average of thirty-five (35) hours per week.

11.3 The regular work week for the majority of employees consists of five (5) working days, from Monday to Friday. The University sets employee work schedules based on operational requirements and may include a regular work schedule involving weekends or evenings. Such a schedule is outlined in the job description. "Weekend" is defined as Saturday and Sunday.

An employee whose regular work schedule involves weekends has one day off during the week and can, upon request, have at least one weekend off every three (3) weeks. In all cases, the employee's work week involves no more than five (5) days.

For operational reasons and with the employee's consent, an employee's regular work schedule may be changed periodically to include hours outside the regular daily schedule. In such cases, hours worked before 7:30 a.m. are paid at a rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) times the hourly rate. This provision does not apply if a start time prior to 7:30 a.m. is a result of a work schedule set in accordance with 11.4.

The University sets work schedules based on operational requirements. As a result, some schedules may differ from the one described in 11.2. Any such schedules are outlined in the job description for the position.

11.4 If necessitated by operational requirements, the work schedule outlined in the job description may be modified upon agreement with the employee concerned and after the employee has been given at least thirty (30) days notice. If the changes required are necessary for teaching purposes, the schedule takes effect after (15) days. The agreement respects the total annual number of work hours laid out in 11.1. This agreement is signed by the employee, a representative of the Institute, the dean or service director, as the case may be, and a representative from Human Resources. The agreement is kept in the employee's file.

Modified schedules in effect at the time the collective agreement was signed remain in effect and are deemed to have been modified in accordance with the procedure outlined in this Article. Modified schedules are not considered permanent and can be terminated by the University if operational requirements change. An arrangement for a modified schedule must not be terminated without prior consultation with the employee and the Institute. Reasons for ending the arrangement are communicated during the consultation.

11.5 Subject to 11.3, the regular work day is an average of seven (7) hours in length. During each work day, employees are entitled to two (2) paid breaks of fifteen (15) minutes each, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and a one (1) hour unpaid meal break, which generally begins between 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Employees whose work day is shorter than seven (7) hours in length are entitled to one (1) break of fifteen (15) minutes for every three (3) hours worked and one thirty (30) minute unpaid meal break for every five (5) hours worked.

Breaks are not designed to shorten the work day and, unless necessitated by specific needs of a service, cannot be taken at the beginning or end of the work day or in order to extend meal breaks.

In all cases, break schedules are to be set or authorized by the employee's immediate supervisor.

11.6 For the purposes of calculating the number of hours worked in a week, the work week begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday and ends at midnight on Saturday.

11.7 Terms for Alternate Work Arrangements (Flexible Schedule, Compressed Schedule in 11.8 and 11.9).

  • The terms and conditions for Alternate Work Arrangements in 11.8 and 11.9 shall be agreed to in writing by the University, the employee, the University of Ottawa IT Porfessionals Group Executive.
  • A request for Alternative Work Arrangement may not be unreasonably denied. Should a request be denied, a written notice shall be provided to the employee.
  • An Alternative Work Arrangement can be for a limited time period and can be terminated if operational requirements change and result in a conflict with such a schedule or if the employee chooses to terminate it.
  • If the University or the employee wishes to terminate or modify an Alternate Work Arrangement, they must consult with the other party and give advanced notice of thirty (30) days. Such consultation will include the reasons for changing or ending the arrangement.
  • All terms and conditions of 11.8 and 11.9 shall be consistent with all other provisions of the Collective Agreement.

11.8  Flexible schedule

Notwithstanding 11.1 and 11.2, employees can, upon agreement with the dean or service director (or their delegate), as the case may be, work flexible hours.

Flexible schedules must include a meal break of at least thirty (30) minutes and two (2) breaks of fifteen (15) minutes each. Flexible schedules cannot allow for the work day to begin before 7:30 a.m. or to end before 3:30 p.m., except during summer hours when the work day cannot end before 3:00 p.m.

Breaks are not designed to shorten the work day and, unless necessitated by specific needs of a service, they cannot be taken at the beginning or end of the work day or to extend meal breaks.

11.9  Compressed schedule

Notwithstanding 11.1 and 11.2, employees can spread their hours over a bi-weekly period, creating one (1) extra day off by working nine (9) days during a period of 10 (ten) days. The extra day off is determined at the time the compressed schedule is agreed upon.