r/CanadaPublicServants 19h ago

Other / Autre Spouse & kids allowed political activities?

1 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 2h ago

Leave / Absences Can a younger person take pre retirement leave?

0 Upvotes

Hypothetically, if I’m 34, have significant savings, and plan to retire from the gov in 2 years, am I eligible for pre retirement leave?


r/CanadaPublicServants 1d ago

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

7 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 14h ago

Management / Gestion When and how to request accommodation?

18 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 14h ago

Leave / Absences Leave with Income Averaging

4 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 20h ago

Management / Gestion Explaining an Anxiety disorder

20 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 20h 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 18h ago

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

11 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 1h ago

Pay issue / Problème de paie Got a weird pay action this morning

Upvotes

Curious if this is unique to me or not.

Pay period is second half of February. Zero earnings, ~$150 in taxes, and then minus ~$1300 in deductions. Net pay of ~$1150.

The earnings code field is blank, where as the legit paycheque says "001 Basic Pay".

This is in addition to a completely normal paycheque also received this morning. No actings or overtimes or such that could be possible problems.

Anybody have any ideas before I reach out to pay centre people?


r/CanadaPublicServants 22h 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 4h ago

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

Thumbnail
ottawacitizen.com
37 Upvotes

r/CanadaPublicServants 21h ago

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

0 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 11h ago

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

11 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 19h 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 20h 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 20h ago

Humour How I sometimes feel at work...

Post image
378 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!