Vancouver City Council

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

DATE: July 7, 2003

Author: M. Romanchook

Phone: 604.873.7659

RTS No.: 3406
CC File: 1379
Meeting Date: July 22, 2003

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: General Manager, Human Resource Services

SUBJECT: Conversion of Temporary Positions to Regular Status

RECOMMENDATION

THAT City Council approve the conversion of one temporary full-time and one temporary part-time (.8 FTE) Human Resource Consultant III positions within Staff & Organization Development (S&OD) to regular status. The annual cost of $133,600 for these positions will continue to be provided from the department's operating budget.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Human Resources recommends approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approves the establishment of all regular full-time positions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to convert two positions (one Temporary Full Time and one Temporary Part Time) to regular status. This will assist in providing for consistent development and delivery of staff training and development initiatives, assist in retaining the existing incumbents of the positions and facilitate any future recruiting which may be necessary for the positions.
BACKGROUND

Funding for both of these positions is currently provided as part of Human Resource Services basic operating budget but is included as ongoing Temporary Help funding. The positions are currently filled on a contract basis - one on a full-time basis and one on the basis of .8 full-time equivalent hours. The positions are central to the continued delivery of existing staff and employee training and development programs.

DISCUSSION

Human Resource Consultant III (S&OD Practitioner) - Position. # 50006879
Human Resource Consultant III (S&OD Practitioner) - Position. # 50007203

Filling of these positions either on a temporary staff or short term contract basis has proven problematic in attracting and retaining qualified staff committed to continued employment with the City. The process of having to renew temporary contracts results in a degree of uncertainty about continued employment for the existing incumbents and places the City at risk of losing the knowledge and expertise which they have acquired. This is especially true given the aging of most employers work forces and tightening of the labour markets for qualified staff with considerable relevant experience.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The Temporary Help budget in Staff & Organization Development currently provides for $113,000 plus $11,300 for benefits for a total of $124,300.

The existing annual cost for the positions including fringe benefits is $133,609. These additional costs are already being absorbed within the department's budget and this would continue to be the case. Therefore, no additional costs for wages or fringe benefits are required nor is any additional funding required for furniture and equipment.

CONCLUSION:

Converting these positions to regular status will assist in ensuring that the department is able to retain the expertise and knowledge of the existing incumbents and provide stability for the continued development and delivery of employee training and staff development initiatives.

Therefore, the General Manager of Human Resource Services recommends that the above referenced positions (Position #'s 50006879 and 50007203) be converted to regular status and that the positions continue to be funded from within Human Resource Services operating budget at no additional cost to the City.

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