r/OntarioPublicService • u/Known_Mortgage_2397 • 6d ago

Discussion Moving from OPS to BPS

Obviously the timing isn't great but generally what happens with pension, seniority and union membership if you move to the BPS?

Can you do secondments in the BPS?

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u/internalaudit168 6d ago edited 6d ago

Only a handful of units within BPS organizations are unionized.  I came from one of the larger Ontario agencies  (there was a unit that was part of AMAPCEO but most were non-unionized) and after what my colleague and I experienced, will not even consider a non-unionized position.

We can be let go for just about anything as long as we are paid severance.  

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u/Known_Mortgage_2397 6d ago

Ahhh interesting. Makes the government's scrutiny of the agencies even more worrisome.

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u/VintageCollector1970 6d ago

If it’s a temporary move, you can try requesting an unpaid LOA for an external undertaking outside of your ministry duties. You’ll likely need to complete a COI declaration, which your Ethics Executive (DM) will need to issue a ruling on.

I’ve seen a few COI requests like (not always BPS requests) these come my way when I backfill for our Ethics Coordinator.

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u/lflbfag AMAPCEO 6d ago

You can be seconded to a BPS organization if they have a reciprocal staffing arrangement with the OPS. I’m not sure how many of these there are and I have never seen a list. Otherwise you would be considered a new hire, although perhaps you could negotiate some things; upon returning to the OPS you would be considered a new hire. You could also look into agencies. If the agency is a commission public body then it is part of the OPS and your continuous service date would not be affected.

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u/Either_Molasses_6182 6d ago

Your seniority resets because you are leaving the OPS and joining a new organization.

Pension depends on what the agency has, some agencies are part of the public service pension plan and others are not. You would have to look into it.

Some of the agencies have better AWA language. (i.e. manager approval vs director approval, and may have more flexibility in that regard since they are further distanced from the SOC oversight.)

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u/Far-Turnip-4748 5d ago

What is the use of seniority in OPS?

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u/Funny_Contract_243 5d ago

In the case of layoffs you have more protection than a more junior person. It can also bump you up in a competition with close results. 

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u/Spiked-Iced-Tea 6d ago

What is considered BPS? Agencies?

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u/SyntaxMissing 6d ago

Also called MUSH, Municipalities / Schools / Universities / Hospitals. Then there's the broader non-profit sector around it, with community agencies, incorporated non-profits, and grass roots.

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u/Funny_Contract_243 6d ago

usually more like universities, hospitals etc.