Revision Date: 25/08/2017
Purpose
Employees
To assist with relocation of employees within the Saskatchewan public service.
Appointees
To assist with relocation of appointees from Canada or the continental United States to permanent positions within the Saskatchewan public service.
Overseas Appointees
To assist with relocation of overseas appointees to permanent positions within the Saskatchewan public service.
Eligibility
Employees/Appointees
The following employee/appointee types are eligible to access the relocation policy, in whole or in part, when required to relocate:
- Out-of-Scope
- Permanent Full-Time
- Permanent Part-Time (pro-rated basis)
- Non-Permanent (permanent head or designate discretion)
- SGEU
- Permanent Full-Time
- Permanent Labor Service
- Permanent Part-Time (pro-rated
- Term (permanent head or designate discretion)
- CUPE
- Permanent
- Temporary, Part-Time & Casual (permanent head or designate discretion)
Policy
Employees
Employees required to relocate a principal residence to a work location in either a different urban centre or one at least 20 kilometres (road distance) from the immediately preceding work location due to any employee applying reversion provisions, exercising bumping rights or being transferred, promoted or demoted for the benefit of the receiving agency shall be eligible for compensation provisions as set out in this policy.
Note: Financing expenses are only non-taxable where the move is a minimum of 40 kilometres. Financing expenses include mortgage discharge fees and bridge financing.
Appointees
Appointees to positions required to relocate from a work location anywhere in Canada or the continental United States to a new work location at least 20 kilometres (road distance) from the immediately preceding one may have the compensation provisions contained in this policy applied in whole or in part, pending approval of the permanent head or designate.
Note: Financing expenses are only non-taxable where the move is a minimum of 40 kilometres. Financing expenses include mortgage discharge fees and bridge financing.
Overseas Appointees
Overseas appointees may have the compensation provisions contained in this policy applied in whole or in part, pending approval of the permanent head or designate.
Exclusions
Simultaneous compensation to your spouse by legal marriage or your common-law spouse being relocated to the same work location.
Responsibility for Expenses
Employees
The department initiating the relocation is responsible for the relocation expenses and all consequent relocations due to displacement of employees resulting from the exercising of bumping rights. The receiving department will be responsible for any subsequent moves the employee makes to attain his/her previous classification or location (also applies to reversion rights).
Appointees
The department requesting the relocation is responsible for payment of relocation expenses.
Reimbursement Rates
Government of Saskatchewan rates, plus specified allowances for spouse and/or dependents apply as maximums.
Receipts
Must be submitted within one year in order to be eligible for reimbursement (no receipts needed for meals). Extensions may be approved in unusual circumstances (by Permanent Head).
Accountable Advances
Granted upon request, in the amount of estimated relocation benefits for which employee is eligible. A promissory note will be signed for the amount of the advance.
Return Service Commitment
Employees
Not Applicable
Appointees
Search for Accommodation
Employees
Compensation provided to a maximum of:
- One return trip to new work location for employee and spouse
- Five nights accommodation allowance based on double occupancy
- Five days meal allowance for employee and spouse plus extra meal allowance for reasonable travel time to and from new work location
- Four regular work days off with pay for employee
In lieu of the above the employee may make more than one trip to new work location but total compensation shall not exceed the maximum allowance.
Appointees
Compensation provided to a maximum of:
- One return trip to new work location for appointee and spouse
- Five nights accommodation allowance based on double occupancy
- Five days meal allowance for appointee and spouse plus extra meal allowance for reasonable travel time to and from new work location
- Four regular work days off with pay for employee
In lieu of the above the appointee may make more than one trip to new work location but total compensation shall not exceed the maximum allowance.
Overseas Appointees
Not Applicable
Commuting Allowance
Employees/Appointees
Eligible for a commuting allowance to a maximum of $3,500 or coverage for up to 2 years, as follows:
- The commuting allowance will be paid based on allowable kilometre rates
- All monies paid out as a commuting allowance will be deducted from eligible amount under the Relocation Policy if the employee subsequently chooses to relocate his household and is within the eligibility period for coverage under the Policy.
Overseas Appointees
Note Applicable
Primary Household Effects
Employees
Compensation provided to cover all reasonable costs for packing and/or crating, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking employee's primary household effects.
Transportation to be accomplished by commercial household goods mover and coordinated through the ministry's relocation coordinator. Rented truck or owned truck may be used if total cost does not exceed commercial household mover fees.
All inquiries to be directed to the ministry's relocation coordinator.
Compensation provided to cover all reasonable costs for packing and/or crating, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking employee's primary household effects (100% reimbursement for first 15,000 pounds and 50% reimbursement on remainder).
Appointees
Transportation to be accomplished by commercial household goods mover and coordinated through the ministry's relocation coordinator.
Rented truck or owned truck may be used if total cost does not exceed commercial household mover fees.
All inquiries to be directed to the ministry's relocation coordinator.
Compensation provided to cover all reasonable costs for packing and/or crating, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking primary household effects to the following maximums:
Overseas Appointees
Excess baggage to a maximum of one piece not over 70 pounds for appointee OR two pieces not over 140 pounds for appointee, spouse and/or dependents.
Surface transportation to a maximum of 800 pounds for appointee, 700 pounds for spouse and 300 pounds for each dependent, up to a combined total weight of 2,400 pounds.
Co-ordinated through the ministry's relocation coordinator.
All inquiries to be directed to the ministry's relocation coordinator.
In Transit Insurance
Employees/Appointees
Each ministry will arrange for insurance for physical loss or damage of personal goods and merchandise belonging to the employee. The policy allows for in-transit insurance up to a limit of $150,000. This coverage is based on the actual value of each individual's household effects. In addition, goods in storage are covered for the first 60 days.
Overseas Appointees
Insurance is to be arranged through the van line performing the move.
Personal Motor Vehicle
Employees
Compensation provided for freight costs of moving one personal motor vehicle if old and or new work location is "beyond road's end". Vehicle to be transported by auto carrier, if available. In transit insurance coverage of motor vehicle is covered under the Government's policy for actual cash value, not replacement cost.
Appointees
Compensation provided for freight costs of moving one personal motor vehicle if new work location is "beyond road's end" or an early date of appointment does not allow sufficient time to drive the vehicle to the new work location. Vehicle to be transported by auto carrier, if available. In transit insurance coverage of motor vehicle is covered under the Government's policy for actual cash value, not replacement cost.
Overseas Appointees
Compensation provided for any loss incurred on the sale of a personal motor vehicle to a maximum of $500. Receipts required to substantiate sale.
Appliances
Employees/Appointees
Not Applicable
Overseas Appointees
Compensation provided for losses on sales of appliances to a maximum of $200. Receipts required to substantiate sale.
Travel to New Work Location
Employees/Appointees/Overseas Appointees
Compensation provided to a maximum of:
- Actual costs of transporting employee, spouse and/or dependents directly to new work location.
- Mileage at approved government rates for vehicles, with approval of permanent head or designate.
- Accommodation allowance while directly en route to new work location for employee, spouse and/or dependents (a second motel/hotel room, subject to prior approval of permanent head or designate).
- Meal allowance while directly en route to new work location for employee, spouse and/or dependents.
- Other costs with prior approval of permanent head or designate.
Storage Costs
Employees/Appointees
Compensation for costs associated with storage of employee's primary household effects to a maximum of 30 days. Extensions may be granted with prior approval of permanent head or designate.
Overseas Appointees
Compensation for costs associated with storage of primary household effects to a maximum of 30 days. A maximum of 90 days may be granted with prior approval of permanent head or designate.
Temporary Accommodation and Meals at New Work Location
Employees
Compensation provided to a maximum of 30 nights' accommodation and 30 days meal allowance for employee. The maximum may alternatively be applied to accommodation and meal allowance for spouse and dependents. Other types of accommodation (e.g. apartment) may be reimbursed with the prior approval of the permanent head or designate.
Appointees/Overseas Appointees
Compensation provided to a maximum of 30 nights' accommodation and 30 days meal allowance for appointee. The maximum may alternatively be applied to accommodation and meal allowance for spouse and dependents.
Other types of accommodation (eg, apartment) may be reimbursed with the prior approval of the permanent head or designate.
Other arrangements require the prior approval of the permanent head or designate (eg, rental of apartment).
For all Employees and Appointees/Overseas Appointees
Pending permanent head approval, employees can receive an accommodation extension beyond 30 nights, but the length of accommodation must be defined. To extend further, the permanent head must receive the extension request 14 days prior to the end of the defined period. A full review and approval of the request is mandatory for the permanent head (not designate) before an extension is permitted.
Government rates for accommodations must be used when possible.
Other arrangements require the prior approval of the permanent head or designate (eg, time period extended to four months).
Residential Property Expenses
Employees
Rented Principal Residence
If employee faces a lease discharge fee and/or rental payments on both old and new residences, compensation will be provided to a maximum of one month's rent, based on old residence's rent. Up to four months' rent may be approved by the permanent head or designate.
Mobile Home Principal Residence
If the employee wishes to move the home to the new work location, compensation is provided for:
- Removal and reattachment of blocking and skirting
- Disassembly and re-assembly of attachments including entry porch, patio, cabana and stairways
- Installation and removal of wheels and hitch
- Pickup and delivery of mobile home and attachments to new work location
- Cost of obtaining a permit and pilot car rental
- Leaser discharge fee to a maximum of one month's rent at old location or up to three month's rent with prior approval of permanent head or designate
Compensation is not provided for
- Removal of mobile home from concrete foundation
- Construction of concrete foundation and placement of mobile home on foundation
Owned Principal Residence
If legal and real estate expenses are incurred in the sale of the employee's principal residence at the old work location, then compensation is provided for:
- Legal and real estate fees associated with the sale of the employee's residence and with the purchase of a residence at the new work location.
- Legal fees include professional service fees related to the transfer of the home and land title disbursements and the commission to listing and selling agents.
Compensation is provided as follows (a copy of the statement from the lawyer with the address of the property should be submitted for reimbursement):
- Reimbursement of actual real estate fees up to 7% of sale price plus applicable taxes.
- Reimbursement of legal fees at rates of the Law Society for sale and purchase of homes.
- Reimbursement of mortgage discharge fees not exceeding three months mortgage interest, to a maximum of $1,500.
- Reimbursement of bridge financing up to 3 months interest to a maximum of $1,500 (Applies when an employee takes title to a residence at the new location before the sale of the residence at the old location and is required to arrange for a short term loan to finance the purchase.)
If an employee's principal residence is owned by the Government of Saskatchewan, compensation is provided for legal fees associated with the purchase of a principal residence at the new work location.
Appointees/Overseas Appointees
Rented Principal Residence
If appointee faces a lease discharge fee and/or rental payments on both old and new residences, compensation will be provided to a maximum of one month's rent, based on old residence's rent.
Owned Principal Residence
If legal and real estate expenses are incurred in the sale of the appointee's principal residence at the old work location, then compensation is provided for:
- Legal and real estate fees associated with the sale of the appointee's residence
- Legal fees associated with the purchase of a residence at the new work location
Legal fees include professional service fees related to the transferring of the home and land title disbursements and the commission to listing and selling agents.
Compensation is provided as follows (a copy of the statement from the lawyer with the address of the property should be submitted for reimbursement):
- Reimbursement of actual real estate fees up to 7% of sale price plus applicable taxes
- Reimbursement of legal fees at rates of the Law Society for sale and purchase of homes
- Reimbursement of mortgage discharge fees not exceeding three months mortgage interest, to a maximum of $1,500
- Reimbursement of bridge financing up to 3 months interest to a maximum of $1,500. (This provision applies when an appointee takes a title to a residence at the new location before the sale of the residence at the old location and is required to arrange for a short term loan to finance the purchase.)
Incidental Expenses
Employees/Appointees
Compensation to a maximum of $500 without receipts or $800 with receipts is provided for expenses that are associated with minor repairs not due to cosmetic/personal reasons that are directly related to the move:
- Altering drapes, carpeting, floor covering, etc.
- Replacing household fittings such as leaking faucets, locks, door handles, inoperable electrical outlets, etc.
- Telephone, power and water hookup
- Disconnecting and reconnecting appliances such as ranges, etc.
- Long distance telephone calls pertaining to the move
- Costs associated with obtaining and preparing a mobile home site, including disconnecting and reconnecting of utilities and septic tank installation
- Other expenses with the prior approval of the permanent head or designate
Overseas Appointees
Compensation provided to a maximum of $300 without receipts.
Relocation Housing Subsidy
Employees
Appointees/Overseas Appointees
Not Applicable.
*The relocation expenses policy consisted of individual policies which were consolidated into one policy in June 2002.