r/BCPublicServants

The B.C. government has given senior executives and political staffers “performance-based” raises during a year in which the province ran the worst deficit in its history, cut throngs of jobs and sought ways to reduce spending.

The pay bumps ranged from two to 2.5 per cent, depending on the position. They were authorized by the NDP government in February and made retroactive to July 1, 2025.

The B.C. government is preparing to shut off public access to its online government directory, leaving taxpayers in the dark about who works for the province and the basic organizational structure of the government.

Hello all! question about the modified work week.... comp 12... 19th administrative group.... can an employee do the 5/5/4 modified work week to shorten their day a little? It is for a staff member I supervise and they currently do the 7.78 schedule with a stat shortfall and EDO every 2 weeks.

I am just curious if that is commonly used or allowed? Article 4.11 states all the different options....

Thanks!

Clarification: Information Systems 24 not related to databases maintenance or programming, more of a project coordination, business analysis, user experience types of roles.

Asking because considering the move to Victoria for a spouse’s job while there is a hiring freeze, and wondering how it will affect my career.

Thanks

Never have been to Vancouver island. The office will be located in a James Bay Area, Victoria (hybrid work arrangement). We are a couple of BC Gov Public Servants in our 30s with a toddler.

Criteria:
- No tsunami risk
- Relatively safe in case of an earthquake (think newer buildings available, low liquefaction risk)
- Walkable, up to 20 minutes long walk to a supermarket and parks or places to spend the evenings walking for an hour or so
- Affordable (the goal is to save for a downpayment while renting a 2-bed)
- We will have a car, but only one spouse is driving
- Easy commute to work
- Going to shop at Costco bi-weekly

What areas would you recommend to consider? Which ones to avoid?

I’ve noticed in Vancouver rent prices decrease in fall/winter. Is it true for Victoria as well?

I’ve heard there is a government discounted rate for public transit, how much to expect to spend per month for that?

How much to expect to spend for daycare? How long are the waitlists?

Are there any neighborhoods with considerably better city planning, created for walking humans and not just cars? With wider sidewalks, trees that separate the sidewalks from the roads, with shadow from trees, some walkable streets with coffe shops?

Thanks

I saw the post asking about the government rate for GoodLife Fitness, and it made me realize I’ve never actually used my government employee discount for anything .

Are there any discounts you guys actually use and find worthwhile? Any practical ones for everyday stuff?

I think some instinct has been lost over the years because for many people, moving into an excluded position was seen as the natural path upward, therefore we did whatever excluded asked of us. That quiet pressure kept our heads down, so we didn't look like difficult employees. Over time, that turned unionized employees into spectators in a system where they were specifically given a voice.

I want to be clear that excluded isn't the enemy. They probably were in included positions before us and know the deal. But they do have a different role than unionized people, which is to represent the employer. This can mean pressure to move quickly, deliver sooner, do work outside of job descriptions, or make decisions before employees feel the reasoning or impacts have been properly considered. Sometimes that urgency is justified and sometimes, as we know, it is not.

Just want to remind my fellow members that you are allowed to have an opinion. You are allowed to ask why. You are allowed to document. You are allowed to consult with the union. You are allowed to point out when something does not make sense, when a timeline is unrealistic, when a decision will create unnecessary harm, or when a colleague is being treated unfairly.

It's not about being unnecessarily difficult and fight management at every turn, but the relationship is not supposed to depend entirely on the goodwill of whoever happens to be in charge. There are rules, processes, protections, and a collective voice for a reason. Don't forget to use them, and back up your fellow members when they speak up too.

I graduated a few years ago with my BSW and worked at an ICFSA for two years. The lateral violence, gossip, political favouritism and corruption forced me to quit and take a job with the ministry. I could probably write an essay on the problems I saw - ethical, moral, financial and legal.

Then I started at MCFD a year ago. What. The. Fuck. I’d assumed that MCFD would be just as bad after the horrendous experiences I had during my BSW and this ICFSA job. But it’s amazing! The ministry gets a lot of hate but it’s a dream job after where I was. I’m on the mainland rn.

I have remarked on how good my new office is to a few people and all of them say that yes, it’s not toxic and conflict is managed professionally. They have all also said that ICFSAs are notoriously bad places to work, at least in my SDA.

I would like to add that I am very easygoing and generally successfully avoid conflict. that is difficult when every professional interaction with a male colleague is monitored by half the hallway for gossip.

I think social work students should be made aware of the fact that issues facing the Indigenous community are also present at ICFSAs. My program made it seem like a ‘home only’ thing. Maybe I was naïve. No social worker should have to manage that degree of conflict AND a caseload full of kids who need your support.

If you are not from the Indigenous community(ies) your local ICFSA supports, AVOID WORKING THERE. At least for the Island. You can be any race and from any community, but if you are an outsider, it’s terrible. I can’t believe something hasn’t been done, but there is so little oversight.

Also - I understand and appreciate the degree of violence and trauma Europeans caused Indigenous peoples in this country. I can see how this manifests today in DV, lateral violence, internal racism and interpersonal conflict, among many other things. However, I also believe that nobody should be forced into the thick of it when they don’t have a job description designed to handle severe workplace conflict day in and day out.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

been over 3 weeks now, closing in on 4, is this normal? is it a busy time of year?

Im aware a lot of people use vacation this time of year so could be that.

any advice on how long to expect would be appreciated

Lately I have just been feeling done. I have 30 years service and am old enough to retire. Pension not enough to live on though. I have been offered a job outside of government completely in a few field (MOA).

is it a crazy to take my retirement pension and go do another job? I wouldn't have the same vacation time anymore obviously. And there is a chance it doesn't work out and no union protection. My pension doesn't go up all that dramatically if I wait a few more years.

On that note does anyone know how long it takes
to get the retirement allowance and the vacation money owed? I think it is a separate application than the pension?

I would only be giving 30 days notice.

Has any CITZ staff who received a VRIP invitation received any word on your acceptance? Deadline was July 24th for applications.

I accepted a permanent role located in a remote town (starting in 4 weeks), but I want to get to the Lower Mainland ASAP.

I have a few quick questions:

1. Since I haven't started yet and don't have my IDIR login, can I apply for internal or lateral postings right now?
2. Realistically, how soon can I transfer or move to a different region after starting?
3. Does applying for or taking another role during my initial probation period impact my permanent status or cause HR issues?

Thanks for any advice!

Hello, I am currently on WCB-pending due to sexual assaults in the workplace, and threats of gun violence in the workplace and nothing was done by the employer. I mentally deteriorated quickly and after 6 months, I went on leave. My case manager has requested that I have a psych evaluation done. I’m really worried because I don’t know why I would need that, as a victim. I initially wanted to just go on stress leave but the employer’s case manager told me that this was for sure a WBC claim on the employer.

Has anyone experienced something similar or being asked to be psychologically evaluated? I do have my own mental health issues, and am medicated, but they only got worse after I was ignored and ostracized in the workplace. I was honest about that in my intake. The union has also taken a backseat and not answering me so I don’t really know who to turn to for questions and concerns. I want to add that I work in the male-dominated environment where I am 1 of 2 women. I can’t help but feel like they’re trying to make me out to be crazy.

I am a BC gov employee and work fully remote. About a week ago, I got into a major car accident and my car was totaled. I have been unable to work and on leave. My contacted me and asked me to come to the office to get STO2 form to have my doctor fill out the form. I said I am happy to have the form filled by my doctor, but due to my injury it not possible for me to drive 2 hours ( office is 1 hour from my place) and I am also concerned about my safety. But my manager said the policy is that employees must pick up the thing they need for their work from the office. Could someone please advise?

Band 2 over here wondering if anyone has any news. Management isn’t saying anything. Are we getting shafted again or what?

Just wondering if there are any other BC Public Service employees currently evacuated because of the wildfires. How are you all doing?

I’m also curious how work has been for everyone.. are you working as usual, working remotely/or from another office, taking leave, etc.? Has anyone been asked or expected to return to work while still under evacuation orders or while displaced?

It would be nice to hear how other BCPS folks are navigating this, especially when so many of us are dealing with the same situation while also trying to keep up with work.

Hope everyone is safe.