Layoffs coming to some employees at U of S as early as May 4

An undetermined number of layoffs will be coming to some employees at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).

Gord Hunchak, the U of S chief communications officer, told 650 CKOM that the total number of layoffs has not been determined as of yet, but they could take effect as early as May 4.

“Prior to any decisions about temporary layoffs, we considered the possibility of redeployment to other work that is essential and can be done remotely. In most circumstances, employees who are temporarily laid off were able to use existing paid entitlements of vacation, banked overtime, or earned days off to maintain full pay levels for additional days or weeks,” a prepared statement from Hunchak reads.

“Anticipated recall dates will vary and we will continue to monitor and assess our ability to recall employees.”

In the emailed statement, Hunchak says the COVID-19 pandemic has “completely altered the operations of the University of Saskatchewan.”

Hunchak explains that changes have been made to protect the health and safety of both staff and students.

The pandemic has reduced or stopped regular operations “in several areas,” according to Hunchak. That’s where employee work cannot be done remotely, or work activities and related revenues have temporarily stopped.

In the statement, Hunchak said the U of S is reviewing the plans the province announced with the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan. The U of S is going off of the plan to determine where operations may see some partial resumption of specific activities.

The upcoming temporary layoffs of employees will be for a period of up to 12 weeks, Hunchak’s statement reads.

“During which time we will provide a “top-up” to the current federal support program, Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), to 85 per cent of pre-layoff regular earnings. Employees who are temporarily laid off will continue to have full access to their benefits programs, as well as the university’s IT services, such as email and network access,” according to Hunchak’s statement.