What does it mean to defer my priority pool status?

Deferring your priority pool status means that your priority is “frozen” until your return. For instance, if you are a TA in PhD 3 and defer your status for the next year, you will be in the PhD 4 category when you return to work. Bear in mind, you must already be in the priority pool to obtain a deferral.

What is “priority”?

You are in the priority pool, that is, you are granted priority during the hiring process, if you are a graduate student registered at McGill, if you’ve ever worked as a TA before, and if you fit the following criteria in decreasing order of priority:

-PhD 4 and 5
-PhD 3
-PhD 2
-Master’s 2
-PhD 1
-Master’s 1

For what reasons can I defer my priority pool status?

You may request that your status in the priority pool be deferred during your degree for the following reasons:

• You have been granted a leave of absence from your degree for medical reasons
• You have been granted maternity/paternity/parental leave from the University
• As part of your degree, you are leaving the University temporarily to conduct field research

Deferment, however, only refers to one (1) TA position per term; in other words, priority status will only be granted for one position per term. So, even if you’re accustomed to holding two positions per semester, this does not extend your priority pool status even farther. In fact, the number of positions you hold only counts towards breaking priority ties during hiring—the more hours of work you’ve accrued, the more priority you have.

How long can I defer my priority pool status?

The University grants deferments of different lengths for different reasons for leave.

Medical Leaves: If the University has granted you a medical leave from your degree, you may also request that your priority pool status be deferred for a period of no longer than one (1) year.

Maternity/Paternity Leaves: If the University has granted you a leave of absence for maternity or paternity leave, you may request, in writing, to freeze your priority pool status for a period not exceeding two (2) years.

Field Research: The University also allows students who are conducting field research towards their degrees to maintain their priority pool status for a period not exceeding one (1) year.

How do I obtain a deferral?

In order to obtain a deferral for any of the above reasons, you must request the deferral, in writing, from the appropriate Hiring Unit—that is, the department in which you hold priority pool status. In cases of medical leave, you must also provide the necessary documentation supporting your request, such as medical certificates.

Can I be refused a deferral?

If you’ve applied for, and have been granted, leave from the University, you won’t be unduly refused a deferral. Unless valid grounds for refusal are produced, the Hiring Unit must hold your place in the priority pool. See Article 13.01 of the Collective Agreement for details.

If you’re still worried that you might be refused, send us a copy of your request when you send it to the Hiring Unit.

When must I apply for a deferral?

You should apply for a deferral as soon as you have been granted official leave from the University. Don’t wait until you’re well into your leave, or just before you wish to return to work! You have to be available for work three weeks into the semester you’re applying for, and have applied for the position, before you’ll be considered for a TAship.

Is applying for the continuation of my priority pool status the same as asking for a leave of absence?

Absolutely not. Applying for deferral is not the same as applying for medical leave or parental leaves from either your degree or your Teaching Assistantship. You must follow the proper procedures for applying for—and have already obtained—permission for a leave of absence before you can request a deferral of priority pool status.

Does having my priority pool status deferred guarantee me a job?

No. You will be considered for a position based on the level of priority you held prior to your leave. Your chances of getting a position, however, are exactly the same as before you left—if your department doesn’t have any positions, they can’t guarantee you a job. As well, a certain number of positions are reserved for applicants outside of the priority pool, based on the numbers of TAs leaving the pool in any given year—which means that not everyone in the priority pool is necessarily hired.

For more information…

Information on the priority pool can be found in Article 13 of the Collective Agreement.

For more information on your rights and responsibilities to leaves of absence from your TAship, and how to apply for them, look in Article 16 of the Collective Agreement.

Let AGSEM know:

AGSEM is the union that represents all graduate students employed as teaching assistants at McGill University. If you have questions or would like to get involved, feel free to contact us:

AGSEM@web.net