The following are general FAQs to inform and support Housekeeping employees affected by their transition to Fraser Health.
Q. What is changing?
A. In response to changes made in provincial legislation, Fraser Health is bringing its current contracted Housekeeping and food services into Fraser Health. As a result, all Housekeeping employees are being provided an opportunity to become a Fraser Health employee.
Q. How will this change affect you?
A. Fraser Health will be in a position to better support the individuals who dedicate themselves to providing housekeeping and food services at Fraser Health Facilities. All affected employees, regular and casual, who are currently working as contracted staff will be offered employment with Fraser Health. This change allows us to work directly with you to strengthen our Housekeeping services.
Q. When will this change take place?
A. Services will transition over the next five to ten months, on a staggered schedule.
Q. Will I be on probation when I am transferred to Fraser Health?
A. If you have already completed your probationary period while working with your current employer, you do not need to complete a new probationary period with Fraser Health. If you are currently part way through your probationary period, you will complete the remainder with Fraser Health.
Q. What is the Labour Adjustment Template Agreement or LATA?
A. The LATA is an agreement made between the Union and the Health Authority in order to transfer all regular and casual Housekeeping staff to be employed by Fraser Health Authority as the receiving employer.
Q. Will my rate of pay be changing?
A. Your rate of pay will be matched to the standard rates of the Fraser Health HEU Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) for housekeepers.
Q. What about my benefits if I am enrolled with the contract employer?
A. Regular employees will be enrolled in the Dental and Extended Health plans of the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust (JFBT) effective the first of the month following the date they commence work with Fraser Health, as long as they were enrolled in benefits plan with the contract employer.
Q. What about my benefits as a casual if I am enrolled with the contract employer?
A. Casual employees may elect to purchase coverage in the Dental and Extended Health plans of the JFBT effective the first of the month following the date they commence work with Fraser Health, as long as they had coverage with the Contract Employer.
Q. What about my benefits if I was not enrolled in benefits (Regular Employees)?
A. Regular Employees will be enrolled in the Dental and Extended Health, Group Life, AD&D and LTD Plans of the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust (JFBT) effective the first of the month following three months of regular employment.
Q. What about my benefits if I was not enrolled in benefits (Casual Employees)?
A. Casual Employees will have the option to enrol in the Dental and Extended Health. Coverage of the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust (JFBT) effective the first of the month following completing 180 hours.
Fraser Health’s goal is to minimize any disruption for affected employees. Details regarding option to purchase a benefits package will be shared at on-boarding sessions and our Benefits team will share handout of information as to how to enroll in Dental and Extended Health Coverage through our online portal.
Q. What happens to my seniority?
A. Your seniority is protected and will transfer with you. Additionally, if you currently work with Fraser Health, or have previously, your combined total of seniority will port with you to a maximum of 1,950 seniority hours for any one year of service.
Q. What if my current employer uses date of service instead of seniority hours?
A. No problem. Fraser Health will convert your service date in to hours for the purpose of seniority. One year of service is generally equal to 1950 hours worked.
Q. How many hours will I work per day?
A. At Fraser Health our work day is based on 7.5 hours worked.
Q. How do I book vacation time?
A. Fraser Health has a vacation approval process beginning each fall to schedule vacation for the following calendar year. Your vacation entitlement is determined by the terms and conditions of your collective agreement.
Your current provider will pay you for any vacation time you have earned but have not yet used. If you have pre-approved vacation that you wish to take following the transfer, Fraser Health will make every effort to honour the vacation time, but you will not receive vacation pay provided operational requirements are not impacted.
Q. Will I need any orientation or new training?
A. Yes. Fraser Health will ensure that everybody gets the appropriate information and training that is required. More details will be shared with you in the near future.
Q. Will I have to complete a new Criminal Record Check (CRC)?
A. If you have a valid CRC completed through the Ministry for working with Children and vulnerable adults, and it was completed within the last five years you are required to share a copy of your results with Fraser Health. If not, then you are required to complete a new CRC through the Ministry. Fraser Health can provide you with step by step instructions on how to share results, or complete a new CRC.
Q. What will happen next?
A. If you intend on becoming a Fraser Health employee, you must attend one of the scheduled Application Support Sessions. Information will be shared shortly regarding the times and locations of these sessions.
Q. What will happen at the Application Support Session?
A. You will be provided assistance to complete your own personal profile/application online. Regardless if you have applied to Fraser Health in the past, you must still complete a NEW profile on our NEW system which is being introduced in the New Year.
Q. What will happen at the Onboarding Session?
A. Our Employee Experience team will be there to meet you. Representatives from Talent & Acquisition, Benefits, Workplace Health and Staffing Services will have Kiosks set up to provide assistance or answer any questions you may have.
Q. What will happen at the Job Fair?
A. All regular employees, in seniority order, will be provided an opportunity to choose a line (schedule of days on and days off) of your preference provided you meet the required qualifications of the job. Fraser Health is committed to providing you with enough notice of any changes to your schedule in order to ensure ample time to arrange your personal affairs.
Any affected employee who does not select a line, or where no line is available, shall be offered casual employment.
Q. Is there someone I can talk to if this news feels difficult and stressful for me?
A. Yes. An Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) which provides short-term, confidential counseling and support is available to all Fraser Health employees and eligible dependants. This program is available for those who accept an offer of employment with Fraser Health, once you receive your employee number.
Q. Is there anything else that I need to know right now?
A. The most important thing we want you to know is that we are looking forward to you joining the Fraser Health team. All affected employees, regular or casual, who are currently working in Housekeeping Services at Fraser Health sites will be offered employment at Fraser Health.
Q. Who do I contact for more information?
A. We understand that many people will have questions. Please know that there will be more information provided as we move forward with the transition. In the interim, please feel free to email our transition support team at FHAhousekeeping@fraserhealth.ca or FHAFoodService@fraserhealth.ca
Q. I am currently receiving wage leveling as I work at a site impacted by the Single Site Order. Will I continue to receive the wage leveling when I transfer?
A. No, you will not receive wage leveling upon transfer. You will be paid in accordance with the Facility Subsector Collective Agreement. If you require more information regarding this please reach out to your union.