We are aware there is some confusion in how librarians are to treat the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day. To clarify, the Letter of Understanding (LoU) between UBC and the UBCFA in the Collective Agreement states: “Librarians are to treat the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day as work days that may be taken as vacation or time off without pay. Librarians may work at home provided they inform their supervisor. Informing is not asking permission, rather it is a professional courtesy. Individual messaging must reflect their ability to be available to address work should it be required.”
As stated above, “Informing is not asking permission, rather it is a professional courtesy.” Further, the LoU does not contemplate that librarians will let their Heads know of their work plans for these days, nor that they will provide an accounting of how this time was spent.
Please let the FA know if you have any questions about this matter.
Bronwen Sprout
President