For full-time employees, the University of Ottawa Retirement Pension Plan is one of the top defined-benefit pension plans in the province! This means that when you retire, you’ll receive a pension determined by a formula based on your earnings and contribution history, rather than on investment returns.

At your retirement or pension commencement, the plan provides a pension predetermined by a formula based on your final average pensionable earnings (i.e., the 60 best months) and credited service, rather than depending directly on investment returns. Furthermore, the pension is protected from inflation and normally increases every January 1, to reflect at least part of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The plan has generous early retirement rules. It allows you to retire before age 65 — as early as age 60 (or earlier if you reach 90 points in age plus credited service) — and collect an unreduced pension for your lifetime. You can also start receiving a pension from age 55 with a reduction if you don’t have the 90 points.

We offer extensive and very competitive insurance benefits coverage that’s mostly paid by the employer. Benefits may include extended health insurance, basic dental insurance, optional dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance and a health-care spending account for eligible employees.

To help you meet your personal and career goals, uOttawa has created a dynamic work environment in which learning and development plans feature opportunities for internal promotion, on-the-job success, competency development abroad and second-language training. Career development and investing in our employees is important us. We offer a variety of services geared towards employees that make us one of the best employers in the region year after year.   

• Career development funding
• Learning and skills development
• Recognition and engagement
• Leadership development
• Mentorship and job shadowing
• Coaching

At uOttawa, we put people first! We support activity-based learning strategies to ensure maximum results and employee success. We can’t wait to meet you!

What better way to learn English or French than enrolling in our free courses? Knowing both of Canada’s official languages is extremely beneficial to your professional development. In partnership with Human Resources, our Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) offers free courses in English or French as a second language to University of Ottawa faculty and staff, to strengthen your proficiency in your second official language. In many instances, courses are also open to family members.

Mental health resources  

At uOttawa, we believe our employees come first. we’re committed to mental health and wellness. A variety of resources, workshops and activities are available to help maintain and increase your wellness.

Health Services

Your health and wellness are important to us. The Telemedicine services offer a suite of virtual health services to faculty, staff, members of the associations of retirees and their eligible family members. The new services will provide direct and speedy online access to general practitioners 24/7 without charge to the patient regardless of your province of residence. Wait times will be reduced to mere minutes without having to leave your home or office.

Services will include medical consultations, assessments, prescription renewals, referrals to specialists and laboratory requisitions.

To learn more about LifeWorks Telemedicine LifeWorks Telemedicine | University of Ottawa (uottawa.ca)

Recreation and Varsity Sports: Access to facilities and activities

From free yoga sessions to golf tournaments, take advantage of the wide variety of sports facilities, recreational activities and summer camps offered to you and your family by Recreation and Varsity Sports!

Vacation days and holiday breaks

As an employee of uOttawa, you are entitled to the following paid holidays every year:  

• Christmas Day (December 25) 
• Boxing Day (December 26) 
• New Year’s Day (January 1) 
• Family Day (third Monday of February) 
• Good Friday  
• Easter Monday  
• Victoria Day (Monday before May 25) 
• Canada Day (July 1) 
• Civic Holiday (first Monday of August) 
• Labour Day (first Monday of September) 
• Thanksgiving Day (second Monday of October) 

Winter Holiday  

In 2021–2022, the winter holiday period begins at 5 p.m. on December 22. Work resumes on January 3, at 8:45 a.m., or at the regular starting time for employees. The exact start and return dates will vary slightly depending on the calendar year. During this period, you’re on paid leave.

Vacation Days (annual leave) 

Being able to take time off to recharge and spend time with your loved ones is important to us. We encourage you to take advantage of your annual leave each year.

Your vacation (annual) leave is determined by your years of continuous service with uOttawa, along with your bargaining unit and status. Your number of paid days off increases with your seniority.

Summer hours

At uOttawa, we offer summer hours, allowing you to leave one hour earlier. Summer hours start on June 1 and end on August 31.

Additional leaves

We offer the following types of additional leave to support you and your dependants in times of transition:

• Sick leave  
• Maternity leave (with top up) 
• Parental leave 
• Wedding leave  
• Bereavement leave  
• Religious service leave  
• Court leave 
• Family obligations 
• Emergency leaves 
• Moving leave