Principles & Policies for Managing Human Resources
2.1.4. French Language Services
INTENT
When recruiting for a designated bilingual position, it must be filled with a bilingual candidate. The staffing process is undertaken in the same way as for any other position except that they shall look for an individual who meets the language requirement of the position.
APPLICATION
The first step in providing French language services is to identify services and offices requiring bilingual employees. Once this is done, the manager designates bilingual positions along with back-up positions.
PRACTICES
The selection board and the department French Language Services (FLS) Coordinator work together to determine the best strategy for recruiting employees who are sufficiently bilingual.
There are three options for filling designated bilingual positions:
- recruiting a bilingual person to fill a vacancy in a designated position;
- transferring a non-bilingual employee in order to create a vacancy which would be filled by recruiting a bilingual person; or
- upgrading the French language skills of an existing employee.
The French Language Services Policy requires departments to use the French-language media to advertise positions where French is a requirement or an asset.
The selection board should include a qualified bilingual person able to assess the language proficiency of candidates if it is a bilingual position or if language is being assessed to ensure that the candidate has the required proficiency to provide “comparable service.”
For designated bilingual positions, language proficiency is a condition of employment. When efforts to recruit a qualified bilingual person for the designated position have been unsuccessful, management can require a new appointee to a designated position to establish and maintain a specific level of proficiency in French. This requirement should be outlined in the letter of offer. The new employee's French language ability should be assessed before the probationary period ends.
The letter of offer should be written in the official language(s) used in the letter of application.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Civil Service Commission
- Monitor application of the policy through the staffing audit process.
- Human Resource Practitioners
Ensure application of the policy in the staffing process.
RELATED POLICIES or GUIDELINES
French Language Services Policy
French Language Services Guideline No. 6
AUTHORITY
The Manitoba Act (1870)
French Language Services (FLS) Policy tabled in Legislature – Nov. 6, 1989
French Language Services Policy – revised 7 approved by Cabinet – March 10, 1999
Civil Service Commission Minute CSC 14-09/10-7
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is the French Language Services Policy?
The French Language Services Policy states that the services provided by the Government of Manitoba shall be offered, to the extent possible, in both official languages in areas where the French-speaking population is concentrated. French Language Services are the written, verbal and audio-visual communications in the French language by which a government department provides information or assistance to the members of the Francophone community in Manitoba.
The purpose of the policy is to allow Manitoba's French-speaking population to access comparable government services in the language of the laws of Manitoba. The FLS Policy contributes to the development of the province's Francophone community. Further, by employing bilingual staff, the government is able to act as an important link with Francophone regions throughout Canada and the world.
- What is the basis for the French Language Services Policy?
The basis of the French Language Services Policy is The Manitoba Act(1870) which gives equal status to English and French as languages to be used in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and in the courts. The Manitoba government's French Language Services Policy recognizes the fact that the French-speaking population of Manitoba is a constituent part of one of the fundamental characteristics of Canada.
- Is a bilingual employee paid more than other staff?
No, bilingual employees receive no additional pay.
- Where can you find more information on French Language Services?
For more information about French language services in the Government of Manitoba, see the French Language Services Policy or the Guidelines Manual for the implementation of FLS.
You may contact:
Francophone Affairs Secretariat
Room 46 – Legislative Building
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
Phone: (204) 945-4915
Fax: (204) 948-2015
Website: www.gov.mb.ca/fls-slf
Owner: |
Civil Service Commission |
Additional information: |
Civil Service Commission |
Effective Date: January 1, 2010
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