The first month

Learn about the employee experience

A great place to work. Get an overview of what the BC Public Service offers employees, including career opportunities, flexible work options, and education programs that you will not find anywhere else. Find answers to commonly asked questions about:

Learn about our organization

Corporate culture at the BC Public Service.

• Explore what it's like to work here. See what type of organization the BC Public Service is
• Ethics and Standards of Conduct: Appropriate behaviour and conduct for public servants
• Public interest disclosure: Reporting serious wrongdoing related to the BC Public Service that involves breaking the law, misuse of public funds or assets, or a danger to the public or environment
• Where Ideas Work 2023 Corporate Plan for the BC Public Service: Outlines commitments to ensure we're the trusted, talented, modern public service British Columbians expect and deserve
• Corporate values: Review each value and see how they align with your role
• Social media guidelines for personal use: Information about how to use social media properly for personal or official government purposes
• Diversity & Inclusion | Respectful workplaces: Talk to your supervisor if you have questions or concerns about your workplace
• Provincial Employees Community Services Fund (PECSF): Volunteer or donate to this annual fundraising campaign that gives back to the community

The role of your ministry or branch. Check out information on your ministry intranet or local area network (LAN) that describes the objectives and type of work done at your ministry and branch. Look for things like:

• An integrated strategic plan or ministry service plan
• Vision and mission statements
• Leading workplace strategies
• Minister's mandate letter

Find out who your ethics advisor is. You can talk to your ethics advisor if you have concerns or questions about ethics in the workplace.

Sign up for sessions and training

Oath of employment. All employees need to take a special oath that highlights the importance of honesty, integrity, and impartiality in what they do as members of the BC Public Service.

• Schedule your oath of employment

Sign up for mandatory training. Register for IM 117: Protection of Privacy, Access to Information and Records Management (IDIR restricted), Diversity & Inclusion Essentials (IDIR restricted), and Fraud Awareness and Prevention (IDIR restricted).

Take optional training or courses. These sessions are recommended, but not mandatory. They're intended for employees who are new to the BC Public Service.

• Welcome to the BC Public Service Sessions: Recommended for employees who are new to the BC Public Service
• IM 112: Records Management Foundations (IDIR restricted)
• IM 118: Information Security and Awareness (IDIR restricted)
• OCIO Microsoft 365 and Teams Training (IDIR restricted)

Additional learning. Ministries may have different required courses. Check with your supervisor.

Participate in regular performance reviews

Your supervisor will guide you through the performance development process.

• Ask them what success looks like for your role
• Think about career development and learning goals and how you'd like to realize them
• Set up regular check-in meetings with your supervisor to discuss work priorities and assignments

Complete an ergonomics assessment

Complete the Computer Ergonomics E-Tool and see how  you can improve your workplace ergonomics. Findings will be sent to your supervisor for review. If necessary, your supervisor can arrange for detailed follow-up with a ministry trained ergonomics assessor.

If you are working remotely, you will need to complete the Computer Ergonomics E-tool as a condition of your telework agreement.

Traveling for work

Check with your supervisor about your ministry's procedures and policies for work travel. HR policy 17 – Travel (PDF, 184KB) outlines general info for travel and other expense allowances.

Understand how jobs are categorized and assigned

Ask your supervisor or contact AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) to find out more about your job classification or appointment status.

Job classification is a system of describing and categorizing jobs by level. It's used to help determine salary. Learn more about the classification system.

Included employees are covered by a union Collective Agreement. Excluded employees are excluded from a collective agreement, but are covered by the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Excluded Employees/Appointees.

Types of work appointments include: