Workforce Relations

Voluntary Reduced Workweek Program

The Voluntary Reduced Workweek (VRW) Program is a program that allows employees to request up to 20 unpaid leave days within the fiscal year.

 

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How to Apply for the Voluntary Reduced Workweek Program

This guide outlines eligibility, program parameters, how to apply, key deadlines, and important considerations to help ensure a smooth application process. 

Key Dates

  • Submit completed VRW day form by March 13, 2026.
  • Applications received after April 1, 2026, may be considered by department management, subject to operational and scheduling requirements.
  • Departments will notify you of approval by April 16, 2026.
  • All VRW days must be used before March 5, 2027.


Program Parameters

  • Pay reductions occur over 24 pay periods from May 1, 2026, to March 19, 2027. Employees continue to receive adjusted bi-weekly pay during pay periods when VRW days are taken. 
  • Departments are encouraged to approve requests where operational needs permit.
  • No overtime costs should result from VRW approvals.
  • When operational and public service needs are allowed, employees may take up to 20 days of unpaid leave. However, government offices must remain open.
  • Departments must maintain adequate staffing to avoid delays, backlogs, or overtime.
  • VRW days cannot be offset by paid leave or cashed-out benefits.
  • This VRW Program applies to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
  • VRW days may be combined with vacation, subject to operational feasibility.
  • Employees cannot change the number of approved VRW days; however, dates may be adjusted with mutual agreement. 
  • Employees may request VRW days at any point during the fiscal year if operational requirements allow. 


Eligibility

  • Available to core public service employees, excluding casual and seasonal lay-off positions.


Application Process

  • Employees submit a VRW Request Form, specifying dates to their Department Manager/Director.
  • Application forms are available from Department Management, Human Resources, or by downloading it from here: 2026/27 VRW Request Form
  • If submitting your form electronically, save a copy to your computer and complete the form in Adobe.
  • Send your completed form to your Department Manager/Director.


Department-Directed Schedule Changes

  • The department may require an employee to work on a planned VRW day with prior notice.
  • A replacement VRW day may be scheduled later in the fiscal year upon mutual agreement. 


Awaiting Approval

  • Managers will communicate approval or denial by April 6, 2026.
  • Once approved, VRW days must be taken as scheduled. 


Notify Pay & Benefits

  • Managers must email the approved or denied forms to the assigned Pay and Benefits Consultant by April 1, 2026.
  • Pay and Benefit Consultant information is available in Employee Self Service > Personal Information > Organizational Data.


Pay Reductions

  • Pay reductions are based on the employee’s April 1, 2026 rate of pay and spread over 24 pay periods.
  • Adjustments will be made to reflect general pay increases. 
  • If employment ends or salary changes significantly, deductions will be reconciled.  Participation may be canceled within two weeks of the change by submitting a written request to the employing authority and Pay and Benefits.
  • If an employee leaves the Province or is laid off, any VRW related overpayment or underpayment will be adjusted, and remaining VRW days will be canceled.
  • To estimate the impact on net pay, refer to the table below.


Employee Benefits and Impacts

  • An approved VRW day will be treated as a regular working day for the purposes of pension, group life insurance, and accumulated service calculations.
  • VRW days are Leave Without Pay for Record Of Employment (ROE).
  • For Employment Insurance (EI), insurable hours and earnings reflect actual hours worked. Employees should contact ESDC for EI-related questions.
  • A VRW day is defined  as the employee’s regular scheduled working day. 


Restrictions on Paid Leave

  • Paid leave such as vacation, sick leave, statutory holidays, comp time, and compassionate leave cannot offset VRW.


Contact Information

  • For VRW-related inquiries, contact AskPSC askpsc@gov.mb.ca or departmental HR


Approximate Net Pay Reduction for Voluntary Reduced Workweek Days

VRW Days $35,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $65,000 $70,000 $75,000 $80,000 $85,000 $90,000 $95,000
1 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9
2 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 17 18
3 12 13 15 16 18 19 19 20 21 23 24 26 27
4 15 18 20 22 23 26 25 27 28 30 32 34 36
5 19 22 25 27 29 32 32 34 36 38 40 43 45
6 23 26 30 33 35 38 38 41 43 45 48 51 54
7 27 31 35 38 41 44 45 48 50 53 56 60 63
8 31 35 40 44 47 51 51 54 57 61 64 68 72
9 35 40 44 49 53 58 57 61 65 68 73 77 81
10 38 44 49 55 59 64 63 68 72 76 81 85 90
11 42 48 54 60 65 70 70 75 79 83 89 94 99
12 46 53 59 66 70 77 76 82 86 91 97 102 108
13 50 57 64 71 76 83 83 88 94 99 105 111 117
14 54 62 69 77 82 90 90 95 101 106 113 119 126
15 58 66 74 82 88 96 97 102 108 114 121 128 135
16 62 70 79 88 95 102 104 109 116 121 129 136 144
17 65 75 84 93 101 109 111 116 123 129 137 145 153
18 69 79 89 99 107 115 118 123 130 136 145 154 162
19 73 83 94 104 113 122 125 129 138 144 153 162 171
20 77 88 99 110 119 128 132 136 145 152 161 171 180


The calculations shown are rounded to the nearest dollar showing the approximate net impact of the VRW days.

 

 

Updated: February 12, 2026