Flexible work arrangements and retirement

Flexible work arrangements allow BC Public Service employees who are approaching retirement, or who have already retired, the opportunity to have a mix between retirement and continuity of work.

For some employees, flexible work arrangements offer opportunities to work a flexible schedule before they fully retire.

For others, it provides options to keep working full or part-time in a flexible workplace.

On this page

• Work arrangements examples
• Benefits of flexible work arrangements
• Supervisor approval
• Pensions
• Support for supervisors

Work arrangements examples

Flexible schedules:

• Job share
• Part-time work
• Modified work week

Flexible workplaces:

• Telework (telecommuting)
• Temporary or occasional mobile worker

Other work arrangements:

• Temporary assignments or appointments
• Auxiliary contracts
• Voluntary demotions

Not all options are appropriate for all positions or all employees.

Flexible work arrangements must be agreed upon by both the employer and the employee. If you're interested in flexible work options, speak with your supervisor.

Learn more about work arrangements.

Benefits of flexible work arrangements

The BC Public Service supports flexible work options wherever the arrangement benefits both the employee and the employer.

For the employee

Flexible work arrangements can help employees stay engaged and support a work and home life balance.

This means different things to different people.

Depending on the specific arrangement, benefits of flexible work arrangements might include:

• A gradual transition into full-time retirement
• Less time and/or money spent commuting to and from work
• The opportunity to continue working longer in a current or new role

For the employer

As part of our succession management approach, the BC Public Service supports potential opportunities for flexible work arrangements for employees approaching retirement.

Benefits include:

• Retaining skills and knowledge
• Training or mentoring new staff members
• Continuing knowledge transfer

Supervisor approval

If you're interested in flexible work arrangements, speak with your supervisor. Work with your supervisor to find out if there is an option that meets the needs of both you and your work unit.

Flexible work arrangements may take time to put in place, so approach your supervisor in a timely manner.

Pensions

Public Service Pension Plan

The Public Service Pension Plan is based on the number of years you contributed to the plan and the average of your 5 highest years of salary (not necessarily your last 5 years).

Visit the Public Service Pension Plan website to learn more about planning for retirement, including when you can retire, how your pension is calculated and more.

Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security

Visit the Government of Canada website to learn more about the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security pension, including:

• How and when to apply
• What you need to do before you start
• Working while collecting a pension

Support for supervisors

When considering a flexible work option proposal, there are several things to consider:

• Employee needs and expectations
• Team needs and goals
• Business goals and impacts
• Customer/client needs and expectations
• Policy, legislation and collective agreements
• Hours of operation
• Health and safety
• Costs
• Administration
• Technology, equipment and support

The Flex work: manager's resources can help you evaluate a flexible work option proposal.

For more information regarding the steps you need to take to set up flexible work arrangements for your employee, submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.