Voluntary departure incentives offered to SAIT employees

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology employees are being offered voluntary buyouts amid budget constraints at the postsecondary institution.

“We’re working closely with our union partners to find creative solutions and we’re pleased to announce SAIT will be offering a one-time voluntary departure incentive program,” reads a letter to staff, which was posted online by a Reddit user Friday.

According to the document, employees with at least seven years of service are eligible for the program. Officials say staff can apply for a financial incentive to leave SAIT for other opportunities, take time off or retire.

SAIT spokesman Chris Gerritsen said the one-time incentive program is “entirely voluntary.”

“At SAIT, we foster meaningful career paths for our employees and provide career-ready graduates in support of our economy while, at the same time, we continue to be proactive in a fiscally responsible manner,” Gerritsen said in a written statement. “Working with our union partners, we were able to find a creative solution which helps us to remain nimble and focused on student success.”

Employees have a deadline of Feb. 28 to apply for the program.

The buyouts come after the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said late last year that 16 of its members employed as support staff at SAIT were told they would be laid off. SAIT said at the time 12 AUPE positions were eliminated in November.