The SWF (“
swiff“, stands for
Standard Workload Formula), is a document that is used to calculate workload (Article 11 of
the Collective Agreement) for full-time teaching faculty. SWFs are usually given out once per term, at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the following term (vacation days and holidays don’t count). Prior to SWFs being issued, managers are required to have a conversation with each faculty member to discuss possible workloads for the upcoming term. Once you receive your SWF, you have 5 working days to contest any matters related to your SWF. Once 5 days have passed, you are deemed to be in agreement with the assignment on the SWF.Revised SWFs may be issued in certain circumstances, even after the SWF deadline. However, a discussion must still occur prior to the revision of a SWF. If you are not in agreement with the revised SWF, ensure to make a note within 5 days of receiving it.You may find the following documents helpful in understanding your SWF:
If you have any questions related to workload or your SWF, please reach out to your local.
SWF FAQ
What is a SWF?
Article 11 (Workload) of the Collective Agreement states that “Each teacher shall have a workload that adheres to the provisions of this Article.” (11.01A) The Standard Workload Form (SWF) is a workload contract between you and your college, and is used to calculate each teacher’s workload for a specified period of time. Article 11 explains the formula and its application in detail.
Who gets a SWF?
Only full-time professors are issued SWFs. Full-time counsellors and librarians who are assigned teaching hours receive letters detailing how their teaching hours are calculated. All workloads should adhere to the provisions of Article 11 [11.01 A]. Sessional, partial-load and part time faculty do not receive SWFs.
What is The SWF Process?
- Prior to establishing a workload, the supervisor shall have a discussion with the teacher.
- A copy of the SWF will be given to the teacher at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period, exclusive of holidays and vacation days.
- Once the faculty receives the SWF, you have 5 days to accept or contest the assignment. Contact your Local if you’d like your SWF reviewed by a Local Steward. If you are not in agreement with the assignment, or if you find administrative errors, contact your supervisor immediately. For matters of greater significance, refer your SWF to the Workload Monitoring Group (WMG). Be sure to do this within the 5 days.
- The College may amend your SWF, under special circumstances. Should this happen, consultation must occur prior to any amendments. Revised SWFs are subject to the same protections as the original SWF (ie: #3).
How is a SWF calculated?
Your workload is calculated according to the factors in Article 11. Each component of your workload, such as the last time you’ve taught the course, the number of students in your class, the type of evaluations you will use, all factor into the workload calculation. You may also be given time for complementary functions, as well as other non-teaching duties, such as committee participation, research, meetings, trainings, curriculum development, etc. The final SWF should not exceed 44 hours per week. If it does, you enter “overtime” territory, and are entitled to overtime pay of an hourly rate equivalent to 0.1% of your annual salary.
When are SWFs issued?
SWFs are issued at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the following semester (date is identified on the SWF).
How do I check my SWF?
If it is your first time reviewing a SWF, we recommend doing so together with one of your Local Stewards. As a refresher: to determine if your current workload is truly reflected on your SWF, take a careful look at your latest SWF and consider the following questions.
- Examine the section dealing with assigned teaching hours. Does it reflect the number of courses and sections you are actually teaching? Does the number of students listed under class size reflect the number of students actually registered in your class? Is there anything unusual about your workload that might merit/require special consideration under Article 11.01 G 2 which deals with “atypical circumstances”?
- Examine the section dealing with complementary functions. Does it reflect all your additional work, including regularly scheduled meetings and committees? Do you have over 260 students? If so, additional time is required in this section.
Where can I find more information about SWFs?
The clauses in the pages of your Collective Agreement entitled ‘Article 11: Workload’ cover all aspects of your workload. Your workload is itemized on the SWF. This complex article should be studied carefully. If you have difficulty interpreting this article, please Contact your Local.
How much time do I have to review my SWF?
You have five (5) working days from the date of receipt of your SWF to examine, sign, and submit it to your supervisor. You may discuss your SWF with anyone you choose, including your colleagues, stewards, or members of the Workload Monitoring Group. This type of discussion can be particularly useful in determining if you are being treated equitably in comparison to others in your work area.
What happens if I don’t sign my SWF?
If you do not sign your SWF within the five (5) day period, it is assumed you are in agreement with your assigned workload. It will only go the Workload Monitoring Group if you check the box labelled: “Proposed Workload Referred to the Workload Monitoring Group” [11.02 A 4]. Your Union reps will be familiar with SWFs, so we encourage you to ask them questions regarding your SWF immediately, and prior to the 5-day deadline.
What should I do if I have signed my SWF but during the semester find that the SWF does not adequately reflect my workload?
Discuss the issue with your supervisor. If you present your arguments clearly, and depending on the circumstances, you may be able to convince your supervisor to make changes [11.02A 6 (a)]. The discussion should take place within 14 days of your becoming aware of the unacceptable circumstances. (The “circumstances” could be the SWF you have received or a change in your workload such that your SWF no longer reflects your actual workload.) Your supervisor must provide a response to your complaint within 7 days of your discussion. If your supervisor does not settle the matter to your satisfaction and issue a new SWF containing the appropriate changes, refer the unsatisfactory SWF to the Workload Monitoring Group, in writing, within 7 days of your supervisor’s response.
What should I do if I disagree with my workload assignment?
Discuss any disagreement with your supervisor and if there is no resolution at that stage, then sign your SWF, making appropriate comments in the space provided: “Faculty Member’s Comments”, and placing a check mark in the box labelled “Proposed Workload Referred to the Workload Monitoring Group” [11.02 A 3 & 4]. (If you need more space for comments, attach a separate sheet.) Your steward can assist you with the wording. Be brief. Submit this document to your supervisor within 5 working days of receipt of the SWF and send a copy to your Local (or to your WMG members, if you know who they are).
Do I have to do my work on campus?
No. As long as you conduct your classes and meet appropriate deadlines, you decide where you will work [11.01 G 1].
What do I do during my non-teaching periods?
These periods are reserved for complementary functions and professional development [11.01 B 1]. You and your supervisor will agree on the activities. Anything you do during this time is by mutual consent [11.08].
Can I be asked to have office hours?
Office hours are not obligatory unless they appear on your SWF as an additional complementary function on an hour-for-hour basis. They are not part of the minimum six complementary hours.
What are complementary functions?
Each full-time teacher is given a minimum of six (6) hours for routine out-of-class assistance to individual students and normal administrative tasks. You decide how and where you will use this time [11.01 F].The college may assign any other functions appropriate to the professional role of the teacher. These can include attending regular meetings, working on committees, doing curriculum development, or performing coordinating duties, or even specialized tasks like setting up a lab or working with special-needs students. If your supervisor asks you to do something, it shall be recorded on your SWF. In other words, all workload must be recorded on the SWF – either on the front page (teaching) or the back page (complementary function).
What happens after I check off the box marked “Proposed Workload Referred to the College Workload Monitoring Group”?
Your SWF will be sent to the College Workload Monitoring Group. The CWMG will meet “where feasible” within one (1) week of the receipt of your complaint to discuss your SWF [11.02 D 1]. Depending on your college, either your union members of the CWMG will speak on your behalf, or you may back up your complaint with a written argument of your position and/or the CWMG may call upon you to present your position in person. When the CWMG reaches an agreement, its decision is binding [11.02D 5].
What happens if the Workload Monitoring Group can’t reach an agreement?
If the CWMG can’t settle the matter, you will be contacted. You may then refer your SWF to the Workload Resolution Arbitrator [11.02 E 1]. A meeting will be set up within two (2) weeks of the referral [11.01 F 5], and the WRA has ten (10) working days to issue a written award [11.01 F 6]. In reality, a backlog of referrals and a lack of available arbitrators may result in a delay in the hearing of your case. The WRA’s decision is final [11.01 F 8].
What are my overtime rights?
- Overtime may exceed no more than one TCH / week, or three (3) total workload hours / week. In other words, you may not be assigned more than 47 hours total workload / week (i.e. 44 hours maximum + 3 hours maximum overtime = 47 hours). Overtime is voluntary, not obligatory. [11.01 J1]
- The college cannot assign overtime to probationary professors under any circumstances. The minimum limits to your workload are: 4 hours for routine out-of-class assistance to individual students and 2 hours for normal administrative tasks. These two limits are minimums; if your workload requires more than this minimum amount, ask for more. [11.01 F]
- 12 hours between end of one workday and start of next [11.01L 3]
- At least 10 days of professional development, including at least five uninterrupted days. These PD days must fit in the 10-month academic year, along with your teaching workload. [11.01H]
I really don’t want any overtime. What can I do?
Article 11.01 J1 indicates that all overtime work “shall be voluntary.” Therefore, if you do not wish to work any overtime, you must provide your supervisor with a viable reason, as article 11.01 J3 makes reference to the fact that agreement for overtime shall not be unreasonably withheld
What are the various limits to my workload?
The maximum limits to your workload are:
- 10-month academic year [11.03]
- 12 consecutive months of teaching in a continuous-intake program, followed by at least one month’s vacation [15]
- 36 teaching weeks / academic year for post-secondary faculty, or 38 teaching weeks / academic year for
non-post-secondary faculty [11.01 B 1]
- 18 TCH / week for post-secondary faculty (648 TCH / academic year), or 20 TCH / week for non-post-secondary faculty (760 TCH / Academic year) [11.01 I]
- 180 contact days / academic year (10 months) for post-secondary faculty, or 190 contact days / academic year (10 months) for non-post-secondary faculty [11.01 K 1]
- 44 hours / week for total workload [11.01 B1]
- 8-hour teaching day [11.01 L 1]
What should I do if my attributed hours for evaluation/meetings do not reflect the actual amount of time I spend on these activities?
Talk to your colleagues – they may have a similar problem. Talk to your supervisor about the extra work and request additional time on your SWF or a reduction of your workload. If your supervisor does not agree, log your workload (such as marking and meetings) for the semester. Write down how much time you actually spend marking, performing committee work, and so on. Later in the same semester or the following semester, you will have actual figures with which to argue your case before your supervisor and possibly before the Workload Monitoring Group.
What is the factor if I do a combination of evaluation types?
The Collective Agreement allows for mixed evaluation types. When you discuss this with your supervisor, make sure that the mixed factor gives you enough time to do all the marking. For example, if you do essay marking and decide to add on some Scantron tests without reducing the amount of essay marking, do not accept a mixed evaluation type [11.01 E 2 (iv)].
How do I determine the evaluation factor?
Hours for evaluation and feedback are based on the method of evaluation being used. Three types are identified in the workload formula, but it is also possible to have a blended evaluation factor if more than one type is used. “Essay or project” (Ratio: 1:0.030 per student) “Essay or project” Involves marking essays, essay-type assignments or tests, projects, or student performance based on behavioral assessments [11.01 E 2 (i)]. Students’ performance based on behavioral assessment includes such techniques as presentations in class which the professor then further assesses after the class. “Routine or assisted” (Ratio: 1:0.015 per student) Involves the grading of short answer tests or the use of mechanical marking assistance or marking assistants [11.01 E 2 (ii)]. “In-process” (Ratio: 1:0.0092 per student) Means that the evaluation is performed entirely within the teaching contact hour [11.01 E 2 (iii)].
How do I calculate the attributed hours for evaluation and feedback?
Multiply the assigned teaching contact hours by the class size and the evaluation factor [11.01 E 1].
How do I determine the preparation factor?
Each course you teach is classified according to your experience in teaching it, whether it is an additional section of the course you are teaching concurrently, or whether it is a continuous-intake program. “New” – 1:1.1 A “New” course is the first section of a course you have never taught before, or are teaching for the first time since a major revision. “Established A” – 1:0.85 An “Established A” course is the first section of a course you have taught before, but not in the previous three years. “Established B” – 1:0.60 An “Established B” course is the first section of a course you have taught within the last three years. “Repeat A” – 1:0.45 A “Repeat A” course is any of the subsequent sections of a course you are teaching in the same semester, taught to students in a different year or in a different program. If the students in your section are not all from the same year and same program, Repeat A is to be used. “Repeat B” – 1:0.35 A “Repeat B” course is any of the subsequent sections of a course you are teaching in the same semester, taught to students in the same year and program. “Special A” and “Special B” “Special A” and “Special B” courses are continuous-intake courses or courses in which the objectives describe the students’ application of knowledge in actual work settings. See the Collective Agreement for the ratios [11.01 D 3 (vii) and (viii)].
How do I calculate attributed preparation time?
Multiply your assigned teaching contact hours by the preparation factor [11.01 D 1 and 11.01 D 3 (i) to (ix)].
How do I calculate teaching contact hours?
Your SWF should accurately reflect your teaching load. Each course and section should be listed separately, and you should have no more than four (4) different course preparations or six (6) different sections in a given week. Your supervisor must ask for your consent before assigning you to do any work in excess of these limits [11.01 D 2]. The maximum contact hours per week for a teacher in a post- secondary program is eighteen (18). For a teacher not in a post-secondary program, twenty (20) is the limit [11.01 I].
