Know Your Rights

Changes in Schedule / Notice of Shift Changes

Part-Time Article: 9.3

Full-Time Article 6.2.3

9.3 Changes in Schedule

The work schedule may be varied to meet the operational requirements of the College. If the schedule is varied, employees shall be notified in compliance with the Employment Standards Act 2000. For Regular Part-Time Employees, their schedules will be identified at the time of hiring. If the schedule for a Regular Part-Time Employee is changed, the College will give at least two (2) weeks notice except in circumstances beyond its control

6.2.3 Notice of Shift Change

The College will give at least three (3) weeks' notice with respect to changes in scheduled shifts except in circumstances beyond its control.  The College further agrees that where major changes in shift schedules (including new shift schedules) are to be implemented, it will first discuss such changes with the Union College/Campus Committee and hear any representations by it provided such representations are made promptly and will attempt, in any such case, to give at least four (4) weeks' notice.

Schedule & Shift Changes – PT vs FT Quick Comparison

Can the College change schedules?

Part-time: Yes — to meet operational requirements

Full-time: Yes — can change scheduled shifts

Baseline notice requirement

Part-time: 2 weeks’ notice for schedule changes (RPT employees)

Full-time: 3 weeks’ notice for shift changes

Where does notice requirement come from?

Part-time: ESA 2000 + Collective Agreement

Full-time: Collective Agreement

Short notice exceptions

Part-time: Allowed only in circumstances beyond the College’s control

Full-time: Same — only in circumstances beyond the College’s control

Expectation of schedule stability

Part-time: Schedule identified at hiring → should be reasonably stable

Full-time: Established shift schedules → should not change frequently without notice

Major changes / new schedules

Part-time: Not specifically outlined in the same way

Full-time: Must be discussed with the Union College/Campus Committee before implementation

Additional notice for major changes

Part-time: Not specified beyond 2 weeks

Full-time: College will attempt 4 weeks’ notice for major changes

Union involvement

Part-time: Implied through representation/support

Full-time: Explicit — union committee discussion required for major changes

Key Takeaways for Members

What’s consistent across PT and FT

• Schedule/shift changes should not be last-minute

• Short notice should be rare and tied to real, unforeseen situations

• If this is happening frequently, it may indicate a broader issue

What’s different

• PT (RPT):

  • Strong 2-week notice protection

  • Emphasis on schedule stability from hiring

• FT:

  • Longer 3-week notice requirement

  • Additional protection for major changes: 

    • Union must be consulted

    • Longer notice (up to 4 weeks) expected where possible

What you can do

If you are experiencing:

• Schedule/shift changes with insufficient notice

• Repeated short-notice changes

• Significant changes with little communication

You can:

• Ask for clarification on the reason

• Track patterns if it’s ongoing

• Reach out to your union representative for support

Bottom line

• PT and FT staff both have clear notice protections

• FT staff have additional protections for major schedule changes

• Short notice changes should be the exception, not the norm