Update on annual merit program for eligible staff

In June a UBC Bulletin was issued, advising that the university was postponing the decision to provide its annual merit program, due to the potential financial impact of COVID-19.

Since that time, we have obtained more clarity around the financial impact of COVID-19, including data related to enrolment, tuition revenue and student housing occupancy. 

While it is vital that we maintain our efforts to mitigate this impact, such as travel restrictions, a hiring chill, and the elimination of discretionary spending, UBC will provide the annual merit program for eligible staff in the following employee groups: Management and Professional (AAPS), Executive Administrative Staff, Non-Union Technicians and Research Assistants, and Farm Workers.

Performance-based increases will be withheld this year for Associate Vice-Presidents, Deans, Vice-Presidents, and the President. Service Unit Directors and Excluded Management and Professional staff will still be eligible for these increases.

Human Resources will provide specific instruction regarding the implementation of any merit increases. With the implementation of Workday in November, merit increases may also take additional time to process. More information regarding the timing of payments will be provided in due course.

As a reminder, the merit program is designed to reward meritorious performance for the period July 1 to June 30 each year and the decision as to whether to provide merit increases is determined according to the university’s ability to pay. We will be reviewing the merit program again next year, and determining whether it can proceed according to the university’s ability to pay. Further updates will be provided at that time.

If you have any questions regarding this year’s merit program, please contact your respective HR Advisor/Associate.

Thank you for your support in managing this process.

Marcia Buchholz
Vice-President, Human Resources

Peter Smailes
Vice-President, Finance & Operations

Please note, this message was updated on September 25, 2020.