Continuous service
(Publié aussi en français sous le titre Service continu)
Table of Contents
1.	Terms and definitions
2.	General

1.	Terms and definitions
The following words and phrases used in this section have the same meaning as the ones in the Glossary of terms and definitions found under the Compensation and Pay Administration heading. In order to ensure consistency and accuracy in terminology, the user may click on any of these terms for the definition.
probationary period (stage)
Public Service (fonction publique)
2.	General
It is important to remember that the policies and procedures outlined in the Pay Administration Guide apply to employees of departments where the Treasury Board is the employer, which for greater certainty are the departments identified in Schedule I, Part I of the Public Service Staff Relations Act (PSSRA). Employees coming from or to separate employers should not expect to be accorded the same salary treatment as if they were moving from one Treasury Board department to another. Separate employers, for example, organizations listed in Schedule I, Part II of the PSSRA, establish their own terms and conditions of employment, which may or may not mirror those of the Treasury Board.
Determining continuous service is essential in establishing the following:
•	the rate of pay on appointment to Schedule I, Part I of the Public Service Staff Relations Act (PSSRA); and
•	the entitlement to a pay increment for appointments to Schedule I, Part I of the PSSRA.
Continuous service does not hold the same meaning or bear the same application as continuous employment or continuous/discontinuous service.
Continuous service is broken when there is a termination of employment of at least one (1)  compensation day between two (2) periods of Public Service employment.
Continuous service is unbroken periods of Public Service employment.
Note: Public Service has the same meaning given to that expression in the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA).
When the break between two (2) periods of service in the Public Service is less than one (1) compensation day, the rate of pay of appointment is determined in accordance with the promotion or deployment or transfer by appointment rules.
Note: A designated paid holiday is considered a compensation day.
When the break between two (2) periods of service in the Public Service is one (1) or more compensation days, the rate of pay on appointment is determined in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions of employment. In this case, an employee would not have continuous service and would be appointed at the minimum rate as per PSTCER 22. unless appointed above the minimum as per Pay above the minimum on appointment from outside the Public Service Policy.

Example 1: End of specified period appointment
Prior service: PSSA Service
A full-time term employee at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in a SI‑02 position is hired for a specified period from June 18, 2001 to May 16, 2003, inclusive.
The employee’s last day of employment is on Friday, May 16, 2003, and was struck-off strength (SOS) on May 17, 2003. The employee’s salary on the last day of employment is $43,706, the 2nd step of the salary scale. The reason for the termination is end of term.
The employee accumulated 10 days of sick leave credits.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The employee is reappointed in Transport Canada as an indeterminate employee, which is effective on Tuesday, May 20, 2003, as an AS‑02 under the PA collective agreement.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
Specified period of three (3) months or more
June 18, 2001 to May 16, 2003
End of term
10 days sick leave credits	

May 17, 2003 to May 19, 2003	Indeterminate

May 20, 2003	
One (1) year and 333 days	One (1) compensation day		

As of May 20, 2003, the employee does not have continuous service because there is a break in service of one compensation day. The employee is therefore appointed at the minimum rate of pay. The new continuous service date is on May 20, 2003.
Note: The designated paid holiday of May 19, 2003, is considered a compensation day.
The employee’s salary on appointment is $43,863, which is the minimum of the AS‑02 pay rate scale and is made in accordance with Sections 20 and 22 of the PSTCER.
The employee’s next increment is effective on Monday, May 24, 2004. Refer to Section 4.1 Initial appointment (PSTCER 32) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of May 20, 2003, the employee meets the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(A)(i) since the periods of service are not separated by more than three (3) months. The employee is credited with 10 days of sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.4.1 Prior service in Part I Service or the Public Service (PSSA) – Indeterminate or a specified period of three (3) months or more (PSTCER 3.(A)(i)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: If one (1) of the three (3) conditions to pay above the minimum is justified in this example, the manager is authorized to request a salary on appointment above the minimum. This will help departments recruit and retain the most qualified candidates.

Example 2: Resignation
Prior service: PSSA Service
A full-time indeterminate employee at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in a SI‑02 position is employed from June 18, 2001 to May 9, 2003, inclusive.
The employee’s last day of employment is on Friday, May 9, 2003, and was struck-off strength (SOS) on May 10, 2003. The employee’s salary on the last day of employment is $44,175, the 2nd step of the salary scale. The reason for the termination is resignation.
The employee accumulated 10 days of sick leave credits.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The employee is reappointed in Transport Canada under PSEA 21.2 as a casual employee from Monday, May 12, 2003 to Friday, July 25, 2003, as an AS‑04.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
Indeterminate

June 18, 2001 to May 9, 2003
Resignation
10 days sick leave credits	

May 10, 2003 to May 11, 2003	Casual employment as per PSEA 21.2
May 12, 2003 to July 25, 2003	
One (1) year and 326 days	None	75 calendar days	

As of May 12, 2003, the employee does not have a break in service. Therefore, the continuous service date of June 18, 2001, is retained.
The employee’s salary on appointment is determined in accordance with the promotion rule. Refer to Section 2 Salary on promotion of the Promotion module.
SI‑02: CRA rates authorized on July 22, 2002
Effective June 22, 2002 (CRA rates)
	43,113	44,175	45,246	46,830	48,959	

AS‑04: Subject to a collective agreement signed on November 19, 2001.
Effective June 21, 2002
				Lowest pay increment	
	51,358	53,309	55,495	1,951	

Calculation on May 12, 2003
•	SI‑02 (CRA) rate of pay is effective on May 9, 2003	$44,175	
•	Difference between the maximums (AS‑04 and SI‑02 (CRA))	$6,536
($55,495 - $48,959)	
•	Since the difference between the maximums is $6,536, which is greater than the lowest pay increment of $1,951, the appointment is a promotion. The employee’s rate of pay is determined by adding the lowest pay increment of the AS‑04 to the SI‑02 salary, and the employee is paid $51,358.	$51,358 (minimum)
($44,175 + $1,951 = $46,126)	

The employee’s salary on appointment, which is effective on May 12, 2003, is $51,358, the minimum of the AS‑04 salary scale.
The employee’s next increment is effective on May 10, 2004. Refer to Section 4.2 On promotion (PSTCER 32) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of May 12, 2003, the employee meets all of the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(C)(ii) since there is no break between the periods of service. The employee’s continuous employment is retained and is effective on June 18, 2001. The employee is credited with 10 days of sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.6.2. Prior service in Part I Service or the Public Service (PSSA) Indeterminate or a specified period of three (3) months or more (PSTCER 3.(C)(ii)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: Promotion or deployment or transfer by appointment rules must be applied and not appoint the employee at a salary above the minimum, because the employee has continuous service.
Note 3: Even though the continuous service period is unbroken, a change in employment to and from PSSRA Schedule I, Part II service does not constitute a transfer for pay administration purposes. As of March 5, 2001, for CRA, appointments to and from the Agency must be processed by means of struck‑off strength (SOS) and taken on strength (TOS) pay transactions. Refer to the TBS Information Bulletin dated on March 5, 2001.

Example 3: Former RCMP member
Prior service: RCMP
A RCMP member with 25 years and 200 days of service retires from the force on November 30, 2001, with a honourable release and in receipt of an immediate annuity.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The person is appointed as an indeterminate employee, which is effective on Tuesday, December 4, 2001, in a PM‑05 position under the PA collective agreement. At that time, the employee surrenders the RCMP pension.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
RCMP employment
Hired as of May 15, 1976, retires end of business Friday, November 30, 2001
•	Honourable release
•	Immediate annuity	
December 1, 2001 to December 3, 2001	Indeterminate
December 4, 2001

•	Surrenders RCMP pension	
25 years and 200 days	One (1) compensation day		

As of December 4, 2001, the employee does not have continuous service because there is a break in service of one (1) compensation day. The employee is therefore appointed at the minimum rate of pay. The new continuous service date is on December 4, 2001.
The employee’s salary on appointment is $59,817, which is the minimum of the PM‑05 pay rate scale and is made in accordance with Sections 20 and 22 of the PSTCER.
The employee’s next increment is effective on Monday, December 9, 2002. Refer to Section 4.1 Initial appointment (PSTCER 32) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of December 4, 2001, the employee meets all of the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(A)(iii), as the periods of service are not separated by more than three (3) months. For this reason, the employee is credited with the sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.4.3 Prior service – Canadian Forces (CF) / Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (PSTCER 3.(A)(iii)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: When the employee is reappointed within the continuous employment allowable break period, the employee is credited with the sick leave credits once all of the following are fulfilled:
•	Honourably released;
•	Immediate annuity; and
•	Surrenders RCMP pension.
If the previous service had been as a Canadian Forces member instead, the treatment would be identical.
Note 3: If one (1) of the three (3) conditions to pay above the minimum is justified in this example, the manager is authorized to request a salary on appointment above the minimum. This will help departments recruit and retain the most qualified candidates.

Example 4: End of a specified term appointment
Prior service: Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
A full-time term employee in a SI‑02 position who has completed a probationary period is hired from March 4, 2002, to May 24, 2002, and is reappointed for a second period appointment in the same position from May 27, 2002, to March 21, 2003, inclusive.
The employee’s last day of employment is on Friday, March 21, 2003, and was struck-off strength (SOS) on March 22, 2003. The employee’s salary on the last day of employment is $42,655 (minimum). The reason for the termination is end of term.
The employee has accumulated five (5) days of sick leave credits.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The employee is reappointed as an indeterminate employee, which is effective on Monday, March 24, 2003, as an AS‑02 under the PA collective agreement.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
Specified period of three (3) months or more
March 4, 2002 to May 24, 2002
May 27, 2002 to March 21, 2003
End of term
Five (5) days sick leave credits	

March 22, 2003 to March 23, 2003	Indeterminate

March 24, 2003	
299 days	None		

As of March 24, 2003, the employee does not have a break in service. Therefore, the continuous service date of March 4, 2002, is retained.
The employee’s salary on appointment is determined in accordance with the deployment or transfer by appointment rule PSTCER 26.(1)(2). Refer to Section 2 Salary on deployment or transfer by appointment (beyond the probationary period) of the Deployment or transfer by appointment module.
SI‑02: Subject to a collective agreement signed on June 27, 2001.
Effective June 22, 2002
	42,655	43,706	44,766	46,333	48,439	

AS‑02: Subject to a collective agreement signed on November 19, 2001.
Effective June 21, 2002
				Lowest pay increment	
	43,863	45,529	47,260	1,666	

Calculation on March 24, 2003
•	SI‑02 rate of pay is effective on March 21, 2003	$42,655 (minimum)	
•	The maximum rate of pay of the new AS‑02 position ($47,260) is less than the maximum rate of pay of the SI‑02 ($48,439)		
•	Since the new maximum is less, the appointment is a deployment or transfer by appointment. The employee is paid $43,863, the rate of pay nearest to but not less than the rate of pay received previously.	$43,863 (minimum)	

The employee’s salary on appointment, which is effective on March 24, 2003, is $43,863, the minimum of the AS‑02 salary scale.
The employee’s next increment is effective on Monday, March 8, 2004, as per PSTCER 33.(1). Refer to Section 4.3 On deployment or transfer by appointment (PSTCER 33.(1) to 39) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of March 24, 2003, the employee meets the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(A)(i) since there is no break in service between the periods of employment. The employee’s continuous employment is retained and is effective on March 4, 2002. The employee is credited with five (5) days of sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.4.1 Prior service in Part I Service or the Public Service (PSSA) – Indeterminate or a specified period of three (3) months or more (PSTCER 3.(A)(i)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: A salary above the minimum is not authorized, because the continuous service period is unbroken.
Note 3: In this example, the employee’s pay increment is effective on Monday, March 8, 2004, and is based on the employee’s last pay increment in the former position, which is effective on Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the anniversary date of the initial appointment.

Example 5: End of a specified term appointment
Prior service: Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
A full-time term employee in a CR‑05 position is hired for a specified period from May 27, 2002, to March 21, 2003, inclusive. The employee is subject to a probationary period which ends on May 26, 2003.
The employee’s last day of employment is on Friday, March 21, 2003, and was struck-off strength (SOS) on March 22, 2003. The employee’s salary on the last day of employment is $39,840 (minimum). The reason for the termination is end of term.
The employee accumulated five (5) days of sick leave credits.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The employee is reappointed as an indeterminate employee, which is effective on Monday, March 24, 2003, as an AS‑01 under the PA collective agreement.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
Specified period of three (3) months or more
May 27, 2002 to March 21, 2003
End of term
Five (5) days sick leave credits	

March 22, 2003 to March 23, 2003	Indeterminate

March 24, 2003	
299 days	None		

As of March 24, 2003, the employee did not have a break in service. Therefore, the continuous service date of May 27, 2002, is retained and the probationary period is effective until May 26, 2003.
The salary treatment for an employee who deploys or transfers by appointment during the probationary period is that rate of pay that would have been paid had the employee not been appointed to the position from which they are being deployed or transferred by appointment (PSTCER 26.(3)). Refer to Section 2 Salary on deployment or transfer by appointment (during the probationary period) of the Deployment or transfer by appointment module.
CR‑05: Subject to a collective agreement signed on November 19, 2001.
Effective June 21, 2002
	39,840	40,935	42,038	43,132	

AS‑01: Subject to a collective agreement signed on November 19, 2001.
Effective June 21, 2002
					Lowest pay increment	
	39,364	40,861	42,413	44,026	1,460	

Calculation on March 24, 2003:
To determine if the new appointment is considered a deployment or transfer by appointment
•	CR‑05 rate of pay is effective on March 21, 2003	$39,840 (minimum)	
•	Difference between the maximums (AS‑01 and CR‑05)	$894 ($44,026 - $43,132)	
•	Since the difference between the maximums is $894, which is less than the lowest pay increment of $1,460 of the AS‑01, the appointment is a deployment or transfer by appointment.		

The new appointment is determined as being a deployment or transfer by appointment during the probationary period. Therefore, the salary for the new AS‑01 position is considered an initial appointment from outside the Public Service.
The employee’s salary on appointment, which is effective on March 24, 2003, is $39,364, the minimum of the AS‑01 salary scale.
The employee’s next increment is effective on Monday, May 26, 2003, as per the PSTCER 33.(1). Refer to Section 4.3 On deployment or transfer by appointment (PSTCER 33.(1) to 39.) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of March 24, 2003, the employee meets the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(A)(i) since there is no break in service between the periods of employment. The employee’s continuous employment is retained and is effective on May 27, 2002. The employee is credited with five (5) days of sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.4.1 Prior service in Part I Service or the Public Service (PSSA) – Indeterminate or a specified period of three (3) months or more (PSTCER 3.(A)(i)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: If one (1) of the three (3) conditions to pay above the minimum is justified in this example, the manager is authorized to request a salary on appointment above the minimum. This will help departments recruit and retain the most qualified candidates.

Example 6: End of casual employment
Prior service Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
A full-time casual employee is hired as per PSEA 21.2 in an AS-01 position from January 30, 2003, to March 21, 2003, inclusive.
The employee’s last day of employment is on Friday, March 21, 2003, and was struck-off strength (SOS) on March 22, 2003. The employee’s salary on the last day of employment is $39,364 (minimum). The reason for the termination is end of term.
The employee accumulated 2.50 days of sick leave credits.
New appointment to Part I Service PSSRA 1.1
The employee is reappointed as an indeterminate employee, which is effective on Monday, March 24, 2003, as a SI‑02 under the EC collective agreement.	

Prior service	Break	New appointment	
Casual (PSEA 21.2)
January 30, 2003 to March 21, 2003
End of term
2.50days sick leave credits	
March 22, 2003 to March 23, 2003	Indeterminate
March 24, 2003	
51 days	None		

As of March 24, 2003, the employee did not have a break in service. Therefore, the continuous service date of January 30, 2003, is retained.
The employee’s salary on appointment is determined in accordance with the promotion rule. Refer to Section 2 Salary on promotion of the Promotion module.
AS‑01: Subject to a collective agreement signed on November 19, 2001.
Effective June 21, 2002
	39,364	40,861	42,413	44,026	

SI‑02: Subject to a collective agreement signed on June 27, 2001.
Effective June 22, 2002
						Lowest pay increment	
	42,655	43,706	44,766	46,333	48,439	1,051	

Calculation on March 24, 2003
•	AS‑01 rate of pay is effective on March 21, 2003	$39,364 (minimum)	
•	Difference between the maximums (SI‑02 and AS‑01)	$4,413 ($48,439 - $44,026)	
•	Since the difference between the maximums is $4,413, which is greater than the lowest pay increment of $1,051, the appointment is a promotion. The employee’s rate of pay is determined by adding the lowest pay increment of the SI‑02 to the AS‑01 salary, and the employee is paid $42,655.	$42,655 (minimum)
($39,364 + $1,051 = $40,415)	

The employee’s salary on appointment, which is effective on March 24, 2003, is $42,655, the minimum of the SI‑02 salary scale.
The employee’s next increment is effective on March 24, 2004. Refer to Section 4.2 On promotion (PSTCER 32) of the Pay increments module.
Note 1: As of March 24, 2003, the employee meets the continuous employment criteria under the PSTCER 3.(C)(v) since there are no breaks in service between the periods of employment. The employee’s continuous employment is retained and is effective on January 30, 2003. The employee is credited with 2.50 days of accumulated sick leave credits on reappointment. Refer to Section 2.4.5 Prior service in Part I Service or the Public Service (PSSA) – Casual employee (PSTCER 3.(A)(v)) of the Continuous employment, continuous service and continuous/discontinuous service module for additional information.
Note 2: A salary above the minimum is not authorized, because the continuous service period is unbroken.