Long Service Awards Questions and Answers
How has the way we measure “long service” changed?
The 2014 edition of the Long Service Awards will recognize staff for reaching a milestone number of
productive hours worked rather than on the years since hire to Providence Health Care.
Which milestones are recognized?
Regular full-time staff work approximately 2000 productive hours in a year. This translates into the
following new milestones:
Previous Milestone
New Milestone
5 years
10,000 hours (New in 2014)
10 years
20,000 hours
15 years
30,000 hours
20 years
40,000 hours
25 years
50,000 hours
30 years
60,000 hours
I was so close to my milestone. Why would you make the change now?
The changes were triggered when the Long Services Recognition program was moved from Mission
Services to People Strategies. With this move, we seized the opportunity to improve our processes to
ensure we accurately identified people who reached a milestone. In reviewing our options, we determined
that the only consistent and accurate way to measure staff contributions is by the number of hours they
work. We also wanted to take this opportunity to make the program more inclusive to our casual
employees, who make up a large part of our workforce, and to extended recognition to people have
served an equivalent of 5 years - a change from previous years, when recognition began at the 10-year
marker.
Why aren’t part-time employees valued as much as full-time employees?
PHC values its part-time employees as much as its full-time employees. That we have adopted an hourly
rather a yearly accounting method to determine “long service,” does not mean we value less those who
have accumulated less hours. The new criteria allow us to demonstrate our appreciation for the
contributions of full-time workers, part-time workers and casuals in proportion to the hours they devote to
our organization. We feel this approach is transparent, equitable and inclusive.
What does “productive hours” mean?
Long service milestones are based on productive hours, or hours spent at work contributing to the PHC
mission. While we are pleased to support our people with paid leave for vacation, illness, and parental
leaves, these hours away from PHC do not count towards reaching a long service milestone.
When do I reach my next milestone?
During November, we will generate our list of people who are to be recognized for their Long Service. If
you are to be recognized, you will receive a letter by the end of November to let you know. If you want to
determine when you are eligible for your next milestone, please send an email to:
longserviceawards@providencehealth.bc.ca
I was recognized recently for my 10 year milestone but I’m a part-time employee
working a 0.5 FTE. When will I be recognized next? You were rightfully recognized under the old long service criteria for your 10 year milestone. Your next
milestone will be your 30,000 hour milestone which, at your current FTE, will take approximately 10 years
to reach.
Why is PHC recognizing employees at the 10,000 year mark? Today, employees change employers more frequently than in the past - on average, every 4.4 years
according to Forbes magazine. To adapt to the reality of today’s workforce, and ensure that our definition
of long service stays relevant to our employees we’ve added the 10,000 hour (5 year equivalent)
milestone to recognize what is today an above average length of service.
When will the awards be taking place?
In previous years, we have celebrated Long Service in January. This year, we will celebrate Long Service
in February 2015. What will I receive?
You will be invited to a celebration at your site or a site nearby that will include certificates for those
reaching their 10,000 hour (5 year equivalency) and gifts for those being recognized for 20,000 hours and
above. As in years past, we will host a dinner for those who have contributed at least 50,000 hours or the
equivalent of 25 years of service.
Previous Milestone
New Milestone
What Will I Receive
5 years
10,000 hours (New in 2014)
(10K)
•
•
Congratulatory Letter
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
10 years
20,000 hours
(20K)
•
•
•
Congratulatory Letter
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
15 years
30,000 hours
(30K)
•
•
•
Congratulatory Letter
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
20 years
40,000 hours
(40K)
•
•
•
Congratulatory Letter
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
25 years
50,000 hours
•
Congratulatory Letter
(50K)
•
•
•
30 years
60,000 hours
(60K)
•
•
•
•
35 years
70,000 hours
(70K)
•
•
•
•
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
Invitation to Dinner where you will be
awarded your Birks Gift
Congratulatory Letter
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
Invitation to Dinner where you will be
awarded your Birks Gift
Congratulatory Letter
Birks Gift Selection
Invitation to Site Tea where you will
be presented with Certificate
Invitation to Dinner where you will be
awarded your Birks Gift
What gift is awarded at each milestone? Those reaching their 10,000 hour milestone will receive a certificate of recognition. Those reaching the
20,000 hour milestone and above will be asked to select from a range of gifts offered through Birks - the
higher the milestone, the bigger the value of the gift. Birks will contact you directly so that you can make
your selection.