Health ministry announces grace period for staff with two jobs
Ruby Pratka, LJI reporter
editor@qctonline.com
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has put the brakes on a plan that would have required some health workers holding multiple jobs to pick just one and have their hours reduced as a result.
Dozens of health and social services facilities and regional centres across the province are in the process of merging into a single entity, Santé Québec. Workers cannot work a total of more than 40 hours a week for a single employer without getting paid overtime; as a result, employees with two or more jobs who work a total of more than 40 hours per week in the health system were told they could no longer do so. “As of Dec. 1, 2024, you will not be able to maintain an assignment or position in more than one establishment if the total hours of the assignments or positions per pay period exceed the equivalent of full time,” reads a letter dated Nov. 8, shared with the QCT by one of the affected employees.
About 1,300 employees across the province work multiple jobs totalling over 40 hours per week, many of them in relatively low-paid roles. As the QCT and other media outlets reported last week, the announcement was panic-inducing for people who rely on the extra income to pay down debt, raise children on their own or support family members overseas.
On Nov. 20, Santé Québec CEO Geneviève Biron announced that a one-year transition period would be put in place to allow “double- employed” workers to find solutions.
“We are grateful to these employees for their contribution and want to take the time to support them. In the context of a labour shortage and high demand for services, this transition period will al- low the employees concerned to continue their services to users and reduce the pressure on staff. Santé Québec will work with union partners to find accommodations,” Biron said in a statement. “I made a commitment to avoid wall- to-wall approaches. In recent days, I have heard the cri de coeur of several employees in a situation of double employment. I hope that we will take the time to support them and find solutions for the benefit of users and staff. In the coming months, Santé Québec will support the employees concerned to find solutions adapted to their situation while ensuring the safety of users and teams.”