Sick Leave
Are you feeling unwell and unable to go into work? Quebec law guarantees you a minimum of 2 sick days per year. However, there is no maximum number of sick days stipulated in our collective agreement, and it’s up to your supervisor to grant them when needed. You should also know that short-term disability kicks in for regular (non-casual) employees after 2 consecutive days off due to illness. Short-term disability can also be used after several non-consecutive days off due to the same condition, for example if you suffer from sporadic migraines. To receive this benefit, you need to have a physician complete a statement of disability. Please don’t hesitate to contact us any time you’re facing uncertainty when it comes to sick leave.
Workplace Injuries
Any injury sustained while at work or on McGill premises is recognized as a work-related accident and is eligible for compensation. For example, a fall injury is covered if it occurred at McGill, even if not where you usually perform your tasks. This insurance covers loss of salary if you need time off work, as well as compensation if the injury is permanent. You can refer to the collective agreement and the CNESST website for more information on your rights regarding work-related accidents. Please contact us as soon as possible in the event you sustain an injury while on McGill premises.
Vacation Time
The annual paid vacation amount for non-casual AMURE members resets each year on June 1st. The amount of paid vacation you are entitled to increases with the number of years you have worked at McGill. If you have been in continuous service at McGill for less than a year, you are entitled to one quarter of a week (1.25 days) for each complete month of service as of May 31st. This increases to 3 weeks, 4, weeks, and 5 weeks of annual paid vacation once you have been in continuous service for 1 year, 3 years, and 7 years as of May 31st, respectively.
Holiday Vacation Days
All regular AMURE members are entitled to paid leave for 3 paid statutory holidays (Dec 25, 26, and Jan 1), an additional 3 days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and to a sixth floating day to be taken during the University’s Christmas break.
Summer Fridays
Research assistants and associates are entitled to nine paid Summer Fridays each year. These will be scheduled as specified on the University’s website, with one of the nine days to be taken over the winter break in December. If you are required to work on a Summer Friday, you are entitled to either equivalent time off on another day or overtime pay. If you are a part-time employee, you are entitled to Summer Fridays on a pro-rated basis – that is, you are entitled to time off equivalent to one fifth of your weekly working hours.
Overtime
Full-time research assistants and associates typically work between 35 and 40 hours a week. Any overtime beyond the hours stipulated in your contract should be approved in advance by your supervisor. If you do work beyond your usual 35-40 hours, you are entitled to compensation, which can be in the form of equivalent time off or extra pay at your hourly rate. The choice of the form of compensation is at the discretion of your supervisor. If you have worked more than 40 hours, the additional hours are eligible for compensation at a rate of 1.5, that is, 1.5 hours of time off for every hour worked over 40, or 1.5 times your hourly rate for every hour worked over 40. The overtime policy is described in the collective agreement. You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy.
Harassment
All employees are entitled to a work environment free from harassment, threats, coercion, or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, civil status, age, religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, or disability. Psychological harassment can be in the form of repeated and hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions, or gestures that affect dignity or psychological or physical integrity. Sexual harassment refers to any unwanted or imposed sexual advance, be it written, verbal, iconographic, or through body language. If you have experienced harassment at McGill University in any form or have any questions, please contact us to ensure your rights are protected. You can also refer to the collective agreement, McGill’s policies on sexual violence and harassment and discrimination, McGill’s Office for Mediation and Reporting, and the CNESST website for more information regarding your rights on this matter.
Educational Assistance
McGill’s Educational Assistance Policy and its Staff Dependent Tuition Waiver Policy also apply to full-time research assistants and associates who have completed 60 worked days. That means that you are entitled to a tuition waiver for any credit courses you are enrolled in at McGill as a special student or that you are taking as part of a McGill degree, diploma or certificate program. Your dependents are also entitled to a tuition waiver equivalent to two-thirds of the Quebec tuition fee once enrolled in a degree, diploma, or credit certificate program at McGill. You can learn more about these policies here and here.
Member Benefits
McGill research employees are entitled to benefits and discounts through their affiliation to the University and as members of AMURE. These include:
- A 15% discount for VIA Rail Canada leisure trips for McGill staff members and up to 3 additional people traveling with the staff member.
- Union Savings discounts in various categories, including insurance, entertainment, travel, home, sports and leisure, fashion, services, electronics, and beauty products. Please note that to benefit from Union Savings you will need to create an account, indicating PSAC as your affiliated union.
- PSAC-Quebec member benefits, including discounts at certain hotels.
- Free $10,000 life insurance from PSAC.
- Exclusive group rates for home and auto insurance rates with The Personal.