With the official creation of the new Santé Québec agency on December 1 as a single employer in the public health network, it became impossible for workers to hold two jobs without requesting overtime.
Wednesday afternoon, Santé Québec decided to “extend[r] of one year the transition period for employees who hold two jobs and work more than 40 hours per week.
In times of labor shortage and public services under significant pressure, it became risky to force the approximately 1,300 employees who occupy two positions, sometimes part-time, to choose.
“In the context of labor shortages and high demand for services, this transition period will allow the employees concerned to continue their services to users and reduce pressure on staff,” we read in the press release.
The president and CEO of Santé Québec, Geneviève Biron, says she has “made a commitment to avoid wall-to-wall approaches. In recent days, I have heard the heartfelt cry of several employees in dual employment situations. I hope we give ourselves the time to support them and find solutions for the benefit of users and staff.”
According to data from Santé Québec, 3,034 employees currently hold two jobs in different establishments, out of a total of just over 330,000 employees in the health and social services network. Of this number, 1,307 employees have more than one job and work more than 40 hours per week.
On Tuesday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé fell back on labor standards to justify the impossibility of exceeding 40 hours in a work week without being paid overtime.
A moratorium was requested
The Association of Management Personnel of the Health and Social Services Network (APER) called for at least a moratorium on the issue.
“We find ourselves a few weeks from Santé Québec to say that you must choose by December 1 which position you will take. What will we end up with? There is a shortage of labor, both in terms of personnel and managers. The positions of activity coordinators on weekends, there is no reason to take these positions,” declared Me Anne-Marie-Chiquette, spokesperson for APER, before the announcement from Santé Québec.
Me Chiquette even saw it as a possible attack on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“The right to work is fundamental under the Charter, under human rights. It’s fundamental! If you do not have an exclusive contract, you have the right to work on your personal time,” she established.
The APER is one of the three associations of executive employees and managers of the public health network, with the Association of Managers of Health and Social Services Establishments (AGESSS) and the Association of Senior Executives of the health and social services (ACSSSS).
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