Appendix H

Appendix H
Letter of Understanding

TEMPORARY STAFF SERVICES EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

The following guidelines shall apply for Temporary Staff Services (TSS):
1. TSS assigns staff to no more than a maximum of 1520 hours (regular hours) on a continuous basis in any one assignment.
2. No TSS staff member shall work beyond twelve (12) months, unless unpaid leave in excess of fifteen (15) working days is taken.
3. TSS staff must take unpaid leave in excess of fifteen (15) working days per calendar year. The unpaid leave may be voluntary or due to the unavailability of work and will apply to all full-time and part-time TSS staff.
4. TSS staff shall be paid at an hourly rate.
5. Hourly rates, within the TSS Skill Levels, are established by the Manager, TSS and will fluctuate in accordance with the requirements of the particular assignment. There is no obligation for a TSS staff member to accept an assignment.
6. When a new TSS staff has accumulated 1820 hours of work, s/he will become eligible for a five (5) per cent increase in his/her hourly rate. This is a one time only adjustment to an individual's hourly rate and is in lieu of the provision of regular benefits. A leave of more than fifteen (15) working days but less than two (2) calendar months will not affect the hours earned to date toward the 1820 hours.
7. A voluntary break of more than two (2) consecutive calendar months will result in automatic termination from TSS, with the exception of documented illness absence. If an employee terminates from the TSS program and subsequently returns, they are deemed a new TSS staff member.
8. The probationary period for a new TSS staff member shall not exceed 280 hours.
9. TSS shall receive 4% of wages, paid semi-monthly, based on regular hours worked, in lieu of annual vacation entitlement, except current TSS staff members, as at date of signing, are grandparented.
10. Official Statutory/Declared holidays are paid when the day before and the day after the holiday are both worked; TSS staff members eligible to receive the holiday pay shall receive base pay equivalent to the scheduled regular hours for that day.
11. If required, a TSS staff member is eligible to accrue one (1) sick day for each 140 accumulated regular hours worked to a maximum accumulation of 12 days. An illness absence form (available from Human Resource Services reception) must accompany his/her timesheet and be claimed for the appropriate pay period.
12. After obtaining non-probationary status, a TSS staff member may apply for up to $250 per fiscal year for approved job-related training. Training time will be arranged for evenings or weekends if desired as it is not paid time.
13. TSS provides free access to the Physical Education and Recreation Facilities and Library. A TSS staff member card is issued for identification at the One Card Office.
14. Unless otherwise assigned or arranged, TSS staff members are expected to keep normal working hours. If illness or other emergency prevents an employee from attending the assignment, they are to notify both the TSS office (492-5455) and the appropriate individual at the assigned department as early as possible.
15. Overtime hours must be approved by the assignment supervisor before worked and are to be recorded on a separate timesheet. Overtime hours are paid at the rate of one and one half (1 1/2) times per his/her hourly rate for the first two hours and double time for any hours thereafter.
16. A TSS employee may be removed without notice from an assignment and/or the Temporary Staff Services program due to lack of work or funding, unsatisfactory job performance, improper personal conduct or poor attendance.
17. As a representative of Temporary Staff Services, it is imperative to the integrity of the program that the TSS staff members provide the highest quality of service possible. It is essential to maintain confidentiality of the materials that they are handling, the privacy of the desk they occupy, and the care of the equipment they use.
18. Non-Academic Staff Association membership fees or service fees shall be deducted from a TSS staff member's pay and remitted to NASA once they have worked more than two (2) consecutive months for more than fifty-nine (59) hours per month. The amount to be deducted is determined by NASA.