Comité SST

When the Government wants to change the rules of the game

Although it is more and more demanding, most of the healthcare professionals will say that they adore their profession and that the fire still burns for them, in spite of the difficulties they encounter. That, most days they are happy to go to work, even if they are tired due to various reasons, like night work, the pressure to work overtime, or the replacements they have to do to support their colleagues.

Despite this, some of them are at a point where, after years of loyal service, they are starting to contemplate the next step in their life. Still in good health, with grown children and a spouse who has already left his professional life, they are contemplating retirement. And the Treasury Board has recently made known its intention to modify the pension plan of Government employees ("Des modifications importantes au régime de retraite", La Presse, December 15, 2014) while the work to renew their collective agreement is starting. The result will obviously not be known before the end of the bargaining process, but the prospect of new measures going into force in 2017 seems to be clear. Many are concerned. What will happen? Will those concerned be penalized if they wait too long to decide? Is it worth it to continue under these circumstances?  Will that suddenly be the end after a life of work and devotion? What a shock, so many questions and what a decision to take!

About 10,000 healthcare professionals are likely to retire over the next few years ("La FIQ craint le départ de milliers d’infirmières", Radio-Canada, March 13, 2015) either because they are already eligible, or they soon will be, or still because the new measures contemplated would impose more penalties than those currently in effect. The changes proposed by the Government therefore are likely to encourage many to leave in a hurry, which may cause questions and concerns on some work teams, even undermining the climate at work. In fact, the prospect of seeing a number of colleagues leaving at the same time may turn out to be collectively disturbing. In addition, a feeling of deception and even betrayal that some may feel towards the Government is game-changing. What a lack of consideration for the healthcare workers, who have given so much over so many years!

On the other hand, individually, feeling rushed by the urgency to make a decision of such importance may become a source of major anxiety. Retiring is obviously one of the most significant events in a person’s life. But, feeling that we are no longer in complete control of the timing or the reason leading up to this decision can be a much more difficult and stressful time than a peaceful and happy one. Therefore, it becomes vital to turn to the resources likely to bring assistance and support and to provide the information making it possible to weigh the pros and the cons of the different possible scenarios and, thus, be able to take an enlightened decision. Local union representatives, human resources services in the institution, personal financial consultants are some of the examples.

Besides the financial impacts, to retire or not to retire must obviously include a more personal reflection on what this stage in life represents. Does the person have projects planned? Is she likely to be facing a void in her life because work has occupied an important place in her life? Will she feel isolated? How will she maintain her social network? The end of one’s professional life can resemble a form of mourning which cannot be overlooked.

Even if nothing has happened yet, the Government is proposing to change the rules of the game. However, retiring remains and will always remain an important decision so the impacts cannot be trivialized. It has to be done for the right reasons, with careful and enlightened thought and, above all, not become a source of concern and stress which will undermine the climate at work and the pleasure of practising, again for a time, a life’s profession.

Do you know ?

To avoid falling into the rumour mill and to stay properly informed on how the file will evolve as part of the negotiations, it is important to participate in the union assemblies which will be held in your institution over the coming months. It is an important information setting where you can ask all your questions.

The FIQ recently conducted a survey (“Les retraites : évaluation des intentions des membres“, March 2015) with the members age 50 to 64 in order to evaluate the impacts on the healthcare professionals of the changes to the Government and Public Employees Retirement Plan (RREGOP) proposed by the Treasury Board.

The brochure RREGOP: answers to your questions is a guide published by the FIQ to provide the members with the most complete information possible on the pension plan.

The FIQ also offers information sessions on RREGOP to the local union teams who make the request and who are able to get a minimum number of participants to attend. Talk to them to learn more.

The Internet site of the Commission administrative des régimes de retraite et d’assurances (CARRA) proposes different reference and calculation tools which can be useful for those who want to learn more about their specific situation.

The RIIRS (web site in French) is the Regroupement interprofessionnel des intervenants retraités des services de santé. Its goals are to give a collective voice to the retired members, defend their rights and interests, provide them with advisory services and to create a feeling of belonging.