Appointment Policy Questions and Answers

Advertisements

Q1. Do advertisements have to be in writing?

A. No, but a record should be kept of the fact that an oral advertisement was made, to whom, when, etc. The announcement of the job opportunity must comply with PSC policy requirements, such as ensuring that all persons in the area of selection have a reasonable opportunity to apply and the duty to accommodate.

Q2. What information could be provided or would be useful for persons to help them make an informed decision about applying on an advertised appointment process?

A. Besides the mandatory elements, other information could help people self-screen for an advertised opportunity, such as the conditions of the work environment, or information that would make an employment opportunity more attractive to certain audiences. Persons in the general public may need different information than those already employed in the public service. Managers would be in the best position to judge what is useful information based on the work to be performed.

Q3. Is there a mandatory minimum advertising period?

A. Yes. Effective December 1, 2009, when advertising job opportunities in writing, deputy heads are required to post them for a period of at least one business day (24 hours), closing at 23:59 Pacific Time. For the purpose of the minimum advertising period, a business day is defined as Monday to Friday, and excludes statutory (i.e. paid) holidays. 

Q4. Why has the PSC introduced a minimum advertising period to the policy on Advertising in the Appointment process?

A. By setting a minimum advertising period, the PSC ensures that persons from across the country regardless of what time zone they live in and whether or not they require a reader service, have a reasonable opportunity to apply and to be considered for public service employment.

Q5. When could the minimum advertising period be considered?

A. Using the minimum advertising period is sufficient when it is expected that a very large volume of applications will be received during that short time period. In other situations, longer advertising periods would be appropriate.  When establishing an advertising period, refer to the considerations outlined in the Guide to Implementing the Advertising in the Appointment Process Policy.

Q6. Do the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) and Publiservice automatically calculate and set the minimum advertising period?

A. Not at this time.  PSRS (jobs.gc.ca) and Publiservice are aware of this new requirement, and are examining the feasibility of enhancing their programs to facilitate compliance, so this may occur in the future.

Q7. Who is responsible to ensure compliance with the new policy requirement?

A. It is the Deputy Head’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all PSC policies.

Q8. What can I do to manage the volume of applications?

A. With appropriate planning, the volume of applications can be managed. The Volume Management Guide presents pertinent information in this regard.

Q9. How do I calculate the next business day requirement?

A. A business day, for the purpose of the minimum advertising period, is defined as Monday to Friday, and excludes statutory (i.e. paid) holidays. The determination of an advertising period must take into consideration the statutory holidays of all the regions that form part of the area of selection. 

For example:

The advertisement is posted at noon on Friday, February 15, 2010 and the area of selection is national. Since the Monday is a provincial holiday (Family Day) in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, the one business day would be the Tuesday, so the advertisement may not close before 23:59 on Tuesday.

The following Web site may be useful for determining Canadian statutory holidays:

• http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/jfa-ha/index-eng.cfm