Implementation of Changes to the University of Toronto Workload Policy and Procedures for Faculty and Librarians (WLPP) (PDAD&C #32)

From: Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Date: March 28, 2024
Re: Implementation of Changes to the University of Toronto Workload Policy and Procedures for Faculty and Librarians (WLPP) (PDAD&C #32)

Further to the September 8, 2023 communication “Interest Arbitration Award with Respect to Outstanding Issues Concerning Salary, Benefits, and Workload Between the University and the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) for the Period July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023” and PDAD&C #11, I am writing to share the details concerning the implementation of the changes to the University of Toronto Workload Policy and Procedures for Faculty and Librarians (WLPP) as awarded by Arbitrator Eli Gedalof in September 2023.

A copy of the revised WLPP, incorporating the changes described below, is posted on the VPFAL website.

There are two key changes:

  1. A new requirement for an Annual Unit Workload Document (new Section 3.3)
  2. An additional factor in Section 4.2 related to online teaching
  1. Annual Unit Workload Document (Section 3.3):

Under the revised WLPP, units must prepare a Unit Workload Document annually setting out information regarding the assigned teaching and assigned service workload for each member in the unit and provide access to all members of the unit and to UTFA by June 30th each year. The first Unit Workload Document is due by June 30, 2024.

VPFAL has been consulting with Dean’s Offices about the implementation of the Annual Unit Workload Document, and further instructions on the rollout of the document will be provided.

This Annual Unit Workload Document may be shared with all members of the unit and with UTFA via the same secure site as was developed to share annual workload letters. As a reminder the best practices for the secure sharing of confidential materials referenced in PDAD&C#37 should continue to be followed.

2. Changes to Teaching Considerations (Section 4.2):

    Section 4.2, which sets out factors that may be taken into account, if applicable, in considering the teaching component of normal workload, has been amended to include an additional factor:

    “Level and/or hours of technical and/or pedagogical support for online teaching”.  

    Reminder: Provide Written Assignments of Workload (Section 2.17):

    By no later than June 30th, each member should be provided with a written assignment of their workload duties in accordance with the requirements of the WLPP. Specifics should be provided where the member’s assignment is materially different from the unit’s norms.

    All written assignments for each unit will be made available for review to any member of the unit or UTFA. The University has provided instructions on how unit level workload assignments should be made available to faculty members and librarians. Please see PDAD&C #37.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to your Dean’s Office, or, in the case of a single department faculty, to VPFAL directly.