I don’t want to be contacted at my workplace. Is that a problem?
We will respect your request about how you wish to be contacted. We recommend you note your preference on your initial review request to the Office of the Merit Commissioner.
Who do you interview about my staffing review request?
Besides speaking with you, as part of conducting the review we must contact the responsible hiring manager and/or panel chair about the staffing review and its grounds. The hiring manager must have an opportunity to speak to the grounds and provide any evidence they may have. Sometimes we need to contact other individuals who are [...]
Are there deadlines that have to be met?
Yes. Unsuccessful employee applicants must request feedback within five calendar days of receiving notification of the competition outcome. The hiring manager then needs to provide feedback as soon as practically possible. Subsequently, unsuccessful employee applicants must request an internal inquiry within five calendar days of receiving the feedback from the hiring manager. The deputy minister [...]
Are there other steps that need to take place first?
Yes. Two steps need to have been taken before contacting the Merit Commissioner’s Office. They are: Request and receipt of feedback from hiring manager as soon as practically possible Internal inquiry by deputy minister or organization head.
Who can request a staffing review?
An unsuccessful employee applicant to a competition for a permanent or a temporary appointment over 7 months, where the position is covered by a bargaining unit (i.e., BCGEU, BCNU, PEA). The unsuccessful employee must also be a current BC Public Service employee who is working or on layoff at the time of requesting feedback.
How will I receive the Merit Commissioner’s decision? Who else is notified?
We will email an electronic copy of the Merit Commissioner’s decision to you as soon as it is available. We will also advise the responsible deputy minister or organization head of the decision shortly after we notify you. Lastly, we advise the head of the BC Public Service Agency who is responsible for hiring in [...]
I learned something about the selection process and I wish to add to my review request to the Merit Commissioner. May I do that?
Yes, as long as it’s relevant to the grounds that you have already identified when you requested the review. You can provide the information by email, delivery to our office, or by telephone. It also must be provided while the review is underway.
I don’t want to be contacted at my workplace. Is that a problem?
We will respect your request about how you wish to be contacted. We recommend you note your preference on your initial review request to the Office of the Merit Commissioner.
Who knows that I’ve filed a staffing review?
In order to conduct a fair review, the Office of the Merit Commissioner must communicate with others involved in the process. However, the number of people is limited to: Responsible deputy minister or organization head who is informed that we have received a request for a staffing review. We provide your name as the requestor, [...]
An auxiliary or short-term temporary (seven months or less) assignment was used to fill a position I’ve been waiting to be posted and compete for. May I request a staffing review to challenge these types of appointments?
No. Section 10 of the Public Service Act exempts short-term temporary appointments from staffing reviews. This means that although auxiliary and short-term temporary appointments must be based on the principle of merit, a competitive process is not required. You cannot use the staffing review process to dispute this type of appointment.
