Librarian Workload

July 28, 2023

Our Know Your Rights segments highlight different aspects that impact your employment at Carleton University, including highlights from the Collective Agreement in small, easy to understand bits.

In previous Know Your Rights segments, we covered workload for faculty (Article 13.1 and 13.2 of the Collective Agreement) and instructors (13.4). In this segment, we’ll be focusing on librarian workload. As always, each member is encouraged to read the workload articles in the Collective Agreement that pertain to them thoroughly.

Article 13.3(a) goes over four main points to ensure fair workload. The first is that workload should be developed in consultation with individual librarians, department heads, and management, and that workload should be consistent with your job description. The second point lists the factors that should be considered in determining your workload: “career stage, rank, level of administrative responsibility, interests, expertise, research and professional needs” (13.3, a, ii). You should also be provided with opportunities for research, scholarly contributions, and professional service, and workload should reflect the time and effort needed for achieving confirmation and promotion. The third point is that workload for cross-appointments should be consistent with the percentage appointment in each unit, and finally the fourth point is that your workload should not unreasonably exceed that of other librarians with comparable duties and your duties should not require an “unreasonable amount of time” (13.3, a, iv).

Article 13.3(b) goes over your specific duties as a librarian. These are specified in the current job description for your position, which should be fully accessible to you. These duties should be “generally attainable within a thirty-five (35) hour week averaged over the year” (13.3, b, ii). You also have the right to dedicate time to your own research projects and/or professional development activities during working hours (13.3, b, iii) and you may, at your own discretion (allowing for operational requirements), schedule up to twelve days to work on your research projects away from your regular duties. This time does not include conferences, and if the time requested exceeds twelve days a year, you must consult with library management. It is noted that “such requests shall not be unreasonably denied” (13.3, b, iv).

Article 13.3(c) goes over scheduling and 13.3(d) goes over hours. Your hours should be flexible in accordance with past practice (unless you agree otherwise) and you should receive a month’s notice if the library operational hours change. Scheduling shall be done fair and equitably during library hours, and you should not be scheduled more than twelve hours a year of instructional service except for special conditions listed in 13.3(c).

Article 13.3(e) covers weekend and holiday compensation. Section (f) outlines what to do in the event of a disagreement with the supervisor regarding any of the aforementioned issues. Section (g) outlines your right to attend CUASA meetings, and section (h) discusses leaves.

Please write to [email protected] if you have further questions or would like to request a topic for an upcoming segment.