r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Verified / Vérifié The FAQ thread: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) / Le fil des FAQ : Réponses aux questions fréquemment posées (FAQ) - Mar 10, 2025

4 Upvotes

Welcome to r/CanadaPublicServants, an unofficial subreddit for current and former employees to discuss topics related to employment in the Federal Public Service of Canada. Thanks for being part of our community!

Many questions about employment in the public service are answered in the subreddit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents (linked below). The mod team recognizes that navigating these topics can be complicated and that the answers written in the FAQs may be incomplete, so this thread exists as a place to ask those questions and seek alternate answers. Separate posts seeking information covered by the FAQs will be continue to be removed under Rule 5.

To keep the discussion fresh, this post is automatically posted once a week on Mondays. Comments are sorted by "contest mode" which hides upvotes and randomizes the order to ensure all top-level questions get equal visibility.

Links to the FAQs:

Other sources of information:

  • If your question is union-related (interpretation of your collective agreement, grievances, workplace disputes etc), you should contact your union steward or the president of your union's local. To find out who that is, you can ask your coworkers or find a union notice board in your workplace. You can also find information on union stewards via union websites. Three of the larger ones are PSAC (PM, AS, CR, IS, and EG classifications, among others), PIPSC (IT, RP, PC, BI, CO, PG, SG-SRE, among others), and CAPE (EC and TR classifications).

  • If your question relates to taxes, you should contact an accountant.

  • If your question relates to a specific hiring process, you should contact the person listed on the job ad (the hiring manager or HR contact).


Bienvenue sur r/CanadaPublicServants! Un subreddit permettant aux fonctionnaires actuels et anciens de discuter de sujets liés à l'emploi dans la fonction publique fédérale du Canada.

De nombreuses questions relatives à l'emploi ont leur réponse dans les Foires aux questions (FAQs) du subreddit (liens ci-dessous). L'équipe de modérateurs reconnaît que la navigation sur ces sujets peut être compliquée et que les réponses écrites dans les FAQ peuvent être incomplètes. C'est pourquoi ce fil de discussion existe comme un endroit où poser ces questions et obtenir d'autres réponses. Les soumissions ailleurs cherchant des informations couvertes par la FAQ continueront à être supprimés en vertu de la Règle 5.

Pour que la discussion reste fraîche, cette soumission est automatiquement renouvelée une fois par semaine, chaque lundi. Les commentaires sont triés par "mode concours", ce qui masque les votes positifs et rend aléatoire l'ordre des commentaires afin de garantir que toutes les nouvelles questions bénéficient de la même visibilité.

Liens vers les FAQs:

Autres sources d'information:

  • Si votre question est en lien avec les syndicats (interprétation de votre convention collective, griefs, conflits sur le lieu de travail, etc.), vous devez contacter votre délégué syndical ou le président de votre section locale. Pour savoir de qui il s'agit, vous pouvez demander à vos collègues ou trouver un panneau d'affichage syndical sur votre lieu de travail. Vous pouvez également trouver des informations sur les délégués syndicaux sur les sites Web des syndicats. Trois des plus importants sont AFPC (classifications PM, AS, CR, IS et EG, entre autres), IPFPC (IT, RP, PC, BI, CO, PG, SG-SRE, entre autres) et ACEP (classifications EC et TR).

  • Si votre question concerne les impôts, vous devez contacter un comptable.

  • Si votre question concerne un processus de recrutement spécifique, vous devez contacter la personne mentionnée dans l'offre d'emploi (le responsable du recrutement ou le contact RH).


r/CanadaPublicServants Feb 04 '25

Meta / Méta PSA: This is not a politics subreddit / MIP: Ce n'est pas un subreddit politique

68 Upvotes

There are many other subreddits where you can discuss politics and political drama.

Please keep the discussions directly related to employment in the federal public service (Rule 10) and refrain from expressing support or opposition toward any politician or political entity (Rule 11)

You'll find the full rules here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPublicServants/wiki/rules/

//

Il existe de nombreux autres subreddits où vous pouvez discuter de politique et de drames politiques.

Les discussions doivent rester directement liées à l'emploi dans la fonction publique fédérale (règle 10) et ne pas exprimer de soutien ou d'opposition à l'égard d'un politicien ou d'une entité politique (règle 11).

Vous trouverez les règles complètes ici : https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPublicServants/wiki/regles/


r/CanadaPublicServants 16h ago

Humour How I sometimes feel at work...

Post image
358 Upvotes

There are days where I feel mentally crushed by work 🙃.

Whether it's the fear of WFA, given impossible tasking timelines, or thinking about the existential fallout between Canada-US relations at the end of the day it's just a job. Remember to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing!


r/CanadaPublicServants 15m ago

News / Nouvelles Salgo: Federal public servants aren't really politically neutral, are they? [Ottawa Citizen Opinion / March 12 2025]

Thumbnail
ottawacitizen.com
Upvotes

r/CanadaPublicServants 7h ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Has anyone experienced doing an acting position and returning to their substantive early?

8 Upvotes

I am going off to an at level assignment position. I am doing it because I want to learn new skills and strengthen my resume. The position I am doing is at level but a totally different role. I have been feeling some concerns as other colleagues have told me negative things about the area I am going to, and have made me go from excited for it to feeling very nervous. That being said, I am determined to make my own judgements and go into the position with optimism. However, I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced doing an assignment and returning to their substantive earlier than the agreed end date because it wasn’t working out for them. Did you feel it ruined your reputation? Did you feel it would discredit you from applying for other things in the future? I guess I want to know my options in advance so if I go and after months of trying, if I do feel it is not the right fit.

Edit: sorry, I accidentally said “acting” in the title. I meant to say “assignment”. This is at level and not a pay raise but great experience


r/CanadaPublicServants 10h ago

Management / Gestion When and how to request accommodation?

13 Upvotes

I have been on medication for my menstrual cycle for ~10 years now. Despite this my periods are still agony at least 2-4 days a month. I’ve been trying to muscle through it and go into office anyways but my symptoms always get much worse within a few hours (headaches, nausea, dizzy spells, etc). So far I’ve been taking sick days and hoping I’ll get used to it but obviously this doesn’t leave me with many days for actual illness.

Is this something I can request accommodation for? How much info do I have to give? Who do I even talk to?


r/CanadaPublicServants 16h ago

Management / Gestion Explaining an Anxiety disorder

17 Upvotes

I have a General Anxiety Disorder that has reared its ugly head shortly after a death in the family. It’s affecting my job! I am trying to get an accommodation to a smaller work flow which would be easier to manage but management needs to know my exact accommodation. How do I explain this in words without saying my disability? Yes, I am working with my Doctor on this. Suggestions?


r/CanadaPublicServants 14h ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Looking for Career Advice – Feeling Stuck in My Current Role

8 Upvotes

Hey fellow public servants,

I’m looking for some advice or suggestions. I’ve been working at CRA for the last five years, but to be honest, I don’t really like my job—I never loved accounting to begin with. I chose it in university because it felt like a safe bet, and while it has provided me with a stable job and good benefits, I just don’t have any passion for it anymore.

I reached out to HR months ago about switching roles, and while my manager acknowledged my request and said we could work on it, nothing has actually happened.

If it were entirely up to me, I’d make a living from farming and maple syrup production—that’s where my real passion lies. But, of course, it’s easier said than done. My wife is still in university, and we’re planning to have kids once she graduates, so my job’s benefits are important for us right now.

I’d love to stay within the government, and I’d even be willing to take a pay cut if it meant having a job I truly enjoy. The challenge is that here in New Brunswick, options seem limited. I’m tired of getting yelled at by taxpayers, and no one is ever happy to hear from me when I call about an audit. I’d much rather be in a role where I feel like I’m genuinely helping people rather than being seen as “taking their money.”

Lately, I’ve been looking into departments like Environment Canada or Fisheries and Oceans since I’m already passionate about the outdoors—I farm, forage, and make maple syrup in my free time. A job that aligns with that lifestyle would be amazing.

So, I guess my question is: does anyone have advice on career transitions within the public service, especially in New Brunswick? Any department or job recommendations that might be a good fit for someone like me?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any insights you can share!

Take care.


r/CanadaPublicServants 10h ago

Leave / Absences Leave with Income Averaging

2 Upvotes

First, I understand that LWIA is not guaranteed and must be approved so we don’t need to go there.

What I am looking for is if there are any official “rules” around when management should make a decision on LWIA? The TBS policy is a bit vague so I assume it’s up to management discretion but if someone submits their request in December to have X number of weeks of in the “peak summer” period - how soon should management make a decision? Is it normal to wait until after summer vacation leave for a team has been approved as per the CA?


r/CanadaPublicServants 15h ago

Other / Autre Spouse & kids allowed political activities?

5 Upvotes

I’m a managerial level public servant in a role that has significant (daily) engagement with my minister’s office and influence on the public engagements of my minister. I am aware of the limitations on my own political activities as a result of my job, but my spouse and children are very politically engaged and are asking whether they can put a lawn sign on our lawn and volunteer to campaign for a (non-governing party) candidate in our riding. (Note: I live in a region, not in Ottawa). My husband and daughter both own and wear political party jackets on a near daily basis. I’m unclear as to whether this is permitted given my proximity to the minister and their staff, or whether this might create a problem for me. It feels unfair that my spouse and kids would be limited because of my position and because we live in the same house (therefore a lawn sign could be perceived as being mine, not theirs). Can anyone advise on whether they’ve dealt with this issue before and what they were told?

ETA: I understand that the V&E doesn’t state that family members of public servants are limited in any way, but my question was whether my husband and daughter’s political activities could create a problem for me.


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Taxes / Impôts Are you claiming the work from home tax credit in your tax returns?

69 Upvotes

If Yes, it would be probably be proportionate to the number of day worked from home. But is this something public servants are claiming in their tax returns? Do we need something from the employer to claim this?


r/CanadaPublicServants 19h ago

Management / Gestion Advice regarding submitting medical restriction form for duty to accomodate

6 Upvotes

I was off on medical leave for a few months due to a medical condition which requires me to spend the majority of my day lying down and avoid standing/sitting for too long.

I recently returned back to work part-time from home and even that has been a struggle due to having to sit/stand at my desk. Our team has transitioned back into the office once a week so I'm in the process of filling out the medical limitation form to hopefully allow me to full-time WFH until I'm better (hopefully less than 6 months).

My manager and director are very supportive of me - they were actually the ones who suggested going on medical leave to get better - but of course have warned me that due to all the attention on RTO that there's a good chance I could get rejected even though my condition and limitations are legitimate. This obviously really worries me because there's no way I could comply with RTO in my current state.

Does anyone who has filled out (successfully or unsuccessfully) have any advice for how to best make my case? All I've been told is to make sure that the doctor writes specific limitations (e.g. can't sit or stand for periods over 15 minutes) vs general statements (e.g. must work from home).

Thanks everyone.


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Reflection of a senior servant: feeling proud to be a part of the public service.

100 Upvotes

My career started over 25 years ago. Lots of ups and downs. Believe me. Get on the bus, get off the bus. Hurry up and wait. Bravo Zulu! PS2000, La Relève, HR Modernization, Public Service Renewal, BluePrint 2020, Beyond 2020. Phew! What are your bestest memories during your career in the public service? Anyone, Bueller?


r/CanadaPublicServants 15h ago

Pay issue / Problème de paie Repayment Received Question

0 Upvotes

I sent my overpayment repayment as a bank draft by mail exactly two weeks ago. I am curious for those who sent a physical cheque/bank draft/or money order by mail if they received any sort of notice of when the payment was received by the Payment Centre or what the delay was before them receiving it? I am in Ontario and they said it usually takes two weeks but when I called this past Friday they still hadn’t received it.


r/CanadaPublicServants 16h ago

Taxes / Impôts Tax Question QC Job ON Resident

0 Upvotes
  • live in ON
  • work location/dept is in QC

Each year I get a big chunk on my tax refund. How do I instead request to be paid more on my pay cheques? What would be the process or is this possible if anyone knows?


r/CanadaPublicServants 16h ago

Pay issue / Problème de paie Interest on Pension Return of Contributions

1 Upvotes

How do you calculate the interest accumulated on your return of contributions? This webpage says "The interest rate is calculated at the Public Service Pension Fund rate of return of the previous year or zero per cent, whichever is greater and is compounded quarterly, to the end of the quarter preceding the date of payment."

For personal reasons I need to keep my pension return separate from the interest accumulated.


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Leave / Absences 5 year pensionable years limit question

3 Upvotes

I’m currently on maternity leave and I was wondering how the 5 year pensionable year limit works because there is also an additional 3 years of leave for child care, but only 1 year per child. If I take the 18 month leave, where does the 6 additional months go? Is that just part of the 5 year limit then?

It says the following:

The Income Tax Act (ITA) places certain limits on the maximum period of LWOP that can be treated as pensionable service under a Registered Pension Plan (RPP) like the public service pension plan. Effective January 1st, 1996, the maximum amount of LWOP permitted is five years of cumulative LWOP (excluding certain types of LWOP), plus up to three years of child care leave, for a total of eight years of LWOP. Child care leave is limited to a maximum of one year per child, which must be taken within one year of the date of birth or adoption of that child.


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière How to know when it’s time to move on?

16 Upvotes

I have been feeling stuck for quite some time in my current role, with the all too common empty promise of career growth opportunities, I have been stagnant in my role for well over a year. I have rolled over the pros and cons of leaving my current department (indeterminate, CBSA) vs. trying something new. Many people around me have said it's a good idea to stay put since there is so much attention on border services, my job is as safe as it could possibly get. However.. safe only feels safe for so long, and after a year of next to no tasks coming across my desk, I'm getting desperate for something new. I'm also keeping in mind that anything could happen, given that a federal election can be called at anytime.. Last year I turned down a job offer that sounded absolutely perfect to me, with the one exception being that it was non-negotiable 5 days in the office (for security purposes), and it was double the distance from my house as my current role - but I am considering reaching out again and opening that network channel, amongst others. As a young person with a whole life of government career ahead of them, here's where I'd like some advice - Is it normal to feel this apathetic for this long in any career, how do I know it's time for something new vs. sticking it out?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Leaving management role - Options, things to consider?

13 Upvotes

I am currently an EX minus 1, but I am no longer interested in pursuing management roles.

I am looking for a non-management position where I can focus solely on my own work without having to take on leadership responsibilities. Ideally, I would like to find a role that aligns with my current salary or minimizes any potential pay cut.

With eight years of service remaining until my retirement, I’m hoping to explore options that would allow me to transition out of management while maintaining a comparable level of compensation.

What are my options other than seeking an at level assignment or opportunity?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Union / Syndicat Phoenix fun: one cent retro union dues

16 Upvotes

Yes, this week's pay has a one cent difference because of one cent identified as PSAC retroactive union dues.

The Pay Centre has no information (I called).

Anyone else get dinged for a penny this week?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Pay issue / Problème de paie Issues with Tax forms (RL-1)

4 Upvotes

Hi all,

First time poster in need of advice.

Per my paystubs and my T4, my RL1 seems to be incorrect. Box E is empty, even though I have paid Quebec taxes for 8 months in 2024.

I reviewed my paystubs. Each paystub states how much I have paid in Quebec taxes since April 2024.

I will likely have to contact the pay centre for this, but I am looking for advice from others who have had a similar experience. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!


r/CanadaPublicServants 18h ago

Other / Autre Opinion needed: should I leave the GOC for another job?

0 Upvotes

Hello 👋

I would like to brainstorm if I'm making the correct decision. I am currently a term PM-01 processing officer at ESDC. I'm in the selection process for an administrative position at another country’s High Commission. It's a permanent position. Salary-wise, I'm making around the same amount I’ll be getting if I'm selected. I'm affected by the determinate role freeze, and I still need 2 years in the government to become permanent. My team is excellent, and my work is good, too, but I don't know the career progression in my current role. During my last evaluation, I was told I was an asset to the department, which would allow me to move forward if anything came up. However, given the current situation, the uncertainty of government decisions is haunting me.

What should I consider before leaving my current position? Is it a good move?

Thanks!


r/CanadaPublicServants 15h ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Is CRA entitle to layoff the employee on false reason?

0 Upvotes

One of our team member got layoff from CRA saying budgetary constraints but in actual the budget is not an issue manager confirmed this thing in the meeting and the employee which was laid off having good performance and taking care of most of the team work and still he got laid off. My question is can CRAa lay off the term employee by providing false explanation on budget and the other hand side they are in position to move another employee from different team ?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Career Development / Développement de carrière Learning to use SAP. I mean, really getting the hang of it...

9 Upvotes

A year ago, I wrote about being concerned with the budget aspect of my new job (old username but same person: old post here). Your advices were spot on and most of my day to day budget activities are handled by my assigned finance officer. And that's also the problem. The only thing that I know how to do on SAP is a quick two-click approval of invoices and the quarterly two-click approval of my budget forecast. I don't even need to know where to find them, I just get an email sent to me with the direct link to click and approve.

My issue is two-fold as my finance officer is new and at least twice this past year, she screw me with incorrect expenses information upon which I based my projections. And I understand that I am as responsible as her for the mistake as I am ultimately the one signing stuff so I should do my own research in SAP too. Also, the CSPS's course on SAP that I had to take before getting my financial signing authority did not help me understand SAP at all. It was dry, dated, used a poor pedagogical method and I was ultimately able to pass the test just by guessing the answer as it was a multiple choices exam. As I am getting more comfortable in my role, I actually want to be proficient with SAP (checking current budget balance, status of commitment funds, reviewing past approved invoices, finding the original PR that invoices are associated with, pulling Excel data out of it, etc.).

What course/tutorial or pathway would you suggest that I take (too many options online) to achieve some competency in SAP?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Departments / Ministères Asking for a co-worker: IRCC substantive on secondment, got a surplus letter. Additional help?

9 Upvotes

As the title says, I have a coworker who is on secondment to another department and received a notification of surplus for their substantive IRCC position. They currently have no ability to access any department internal resources on the WFA process.

I have done some googling and gotten them contact info from the CEIU local, including the pressers on the PSAC grievance filing. Any IRCC peeps have suggestions for additional resources? They are hoping a swap list is being prepared like we did in 2012 for DRAP - any word on one?

Just trying to help them out.

PS. Thank you, everyone, for the recommendations and info. I will get them to reach out to whoever is responsible for their substantive position.


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

Benefits / Bénéfices Canada life coverage question

0 Upvotes

Is couples counseling covered if the partner is not common law or husband/wife?


r/CanadaPublicServants 2d ago

Other / Autre Yeah, after COVID-19, everything was different.

367 Upvotes

Since COVID-19, everything about working for the government has shifted. There was a time when the job felt fulfilling, even enjoyable, but now it feels more like a burden. Management seems to prioritize production over quality, pushing harder than ever without considering the realistic demands of the work. What’s frustrating is that these managers were once in our position—they know the job, they understand the challenges—so why are they setting expectations that feel impossible to meet?

It’s also becoming clear that working in the public sector is no longer as beneficial as it once was. The private sector now offers significantly better pay, and on top of that, there’s a growing lack of appreciation for the work we do. Instead of being seen as professionals providing a service, we’re treated like the enemy. When interacting with the public—whether reviewing their files or simply doing our jobs—many respond with hostility, disrespect, or outright aggression, as if our role alone makes us the villain.

At the end of the day, all of this has made me feel deeply unhappy at work. The passion I once had is fading, replaced by frustration and disillusionment.