Public Service Commission Policies
Reciprocal Agreements
Recognition of calendar and accumulated service with a previous employer for benefits calculations in the public service.
Policy
Upon recruitment, calendar service and accumulated service may be recognized for benefit purposes where a reciprocal agreement exists. Under specified circumstances, accumulated sick leave and/or vacation credits may also be recognized.
For more information about this policy or specific reciprocal agreements, contact the Workforce Relations Division, Public Service Commission.
- Overview of reciprocal agreement
- Negotiation of reciprocal agreements
- Scope of reciprocal agreements
- Recognition of accumulated service and accumulated sick leave
- Application required
- Benefits duplication
- Seniority not recognized
1. Overview of reciprocal agreement
A reciprocal agreement is a written agreement between employers which allows employees to have their calendar service and accumulated service with their previous employer recognized for the purpose of calculating the earning rates for vacation, sick leave and in some instances severance pay/service allowance. An employee must have commenced employment with the public service with no break in service between jobs. A reciprocal agreement also allows an employee to have their calendar service with their previous employer applied to any waiting periods attached to specific health benefits plans such as dental, health spending account, etc. In some instances sick leave and/or vacation credits may also be transferred. Severance pay applies to an eligible bargaining unit employee in accordance with their respective collective agreement; service allowance applies to a non-represented core government employee in accordance with the Pay Practices Policy and who are covered by Part 3 of the Public Service Regulation.
2. Negotiation of reciprocal agreements
The Workforce Relations Division, Public Service Commission is responsible for negotiating reciprocal agreements on behalf of the Province of Manitoba.
3. Scope of reciprocal agreements
Reciprocal agreements are in place with certain but not all public sector employers. The Workforce Relations Division, Public Service Commission should be contacted for a list of existing reciprocal agreements.
4. Recognition of accumulated service and accumulated sick leave
- Calendar service with the employee's previous employer is recognized for the purposes of calculating vacation and sick leave earning rates.
- Accumulated service with a previous employer is recognized for the purpose of calculating severance pay or service allowance accrual rate.
- In certain instances sick leave and/or vacation credits may be recognized and transferred.
- Calendar service with the employee's previous employer may be applied to any waiting periods attached to specific health benefit plans.
Benefit earning rates and benefit entitlements must be consistent with the established rates for all Province of Manitoba employees. An employee who commences employment with the Province cannot be credited with benefits that exceed the existing maximum earning rates and entitlements applicable to all employees of the Province.
Where there is a reciprocal agreement in place, an employee must apply at the time of hire to have their service with their previous employer recognized by contacting the Human Resource Services Center in their department.
There can be no duplication of a benefit. An employee who has received a "cash-out" of vested sick leave or severance pay from their previous employer cannot be credited with service with their previous employer for the purpose of those benefits on commencing employment with the Province (e.g. sick leave credits or vacation credits which have been converted into a "cash-out" cannot be recognized. Similarly, accumulated service with the employee's previous employer that has been recognized in order to calculate a severance cash-out cannot be considered for severance or service allowance purposes by the Province of Manitoba.)
Accrued vacation credits with an employee's previous employer are normally used by the employee or cashed out prior to commencing employment with the Province of Manitoba and therefore are not included.
Service for the purpose of seniority calculations unless specifically agreed to by the employee's union are not included. • Pension credits and group insurance coverage are not included. Employees should contact the Civil Service Superannuation Board for information with respect to pension and group insurance coverage.
Authority
- Specific reciprocal agreements as authorized by the Workforce Relations Division, Public Service Commission
