Article 16 - Moving expenses
16.01
The provisions of this Article are aimed at defining what an employee entitled to reimbursement of moving expenses has the right to claim as moving expenses in the framework of job security under Article 15 of the collective agreement.
16.02
Moving expenses are only applicable for an employee if the provincial workforce service (SNMO) agrees that the relocation of the employee requires them to move. The move is deemed necessary if it is actually made and if the distance between the new and former home bases is greater than fifty (50) kilometres.
16.03
The move is not deemed necessary, however, if the distance between the new home base and the employee’s residence is less than fifty (50) kilometres.
TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES FOR FURNITURE AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS
16.04
Upon presentation of receipts, the SNMO agrees to reimburse expenses incurred for transportation of the furniture and personal belongings of the employee concerned, including packing, unpacking and insurance costs or towing expenses of a mobile home, providing that the employee supplies in advance at least two (2) detailed estimates of the expenses to be incurred.
16.05
The SNMO does not, however, pay the cost of transporting the employee’s personal vehicle unless it is impossible to reach the employee’s new residence by road. Nor does the SNMO reimburse expenses for the transportation of any craft, canoe, etc.
STORAGE
16.06
When the move from one residence to another cannot be made directly for reasons beyond the employee’s control other than the building of a new house, the SNMO reimburses storage expenses for the furniture and personal belongings of the employee and their dependants for up to a maximum of two (2) months.
EXPENSES RELATED TO MOVING
16.07
The SNMO pays a moving allowance of $750 to any married employee who is moved, or $200 to any single employee who is moved, as compensation for expenses related to moving (rugs, curtains, disconnecting and connecting electrical appliances, cleaning, babysitting expenses, etc.), unless the employee is moved to a place where full accommodations are placed at their disposal by the institution. The $750 allowance payable to a married employee who is moved is payable to a single employee, however, if the latter was living in their own housing.
COMPENSATION FOR A LEASE
16.08
An employee covered by clause 16.01 is also entitled, if necessary, to the following compensation: for an employee leaving a dwelling without a written lease, the SNMO pays the value of one (1) month’s rent; for an employee who must break a lease and whose landlord requires compensation, the SNMO pays a maximum of three (3) months’ rent. In both cases, the employee must prove the landlord’s request and produce receipts or supporting documents.
16.09
If employees choose to sub-let the housing themselves, reasonable advertising expenses for the purposes of sub-letting are reimbursed by the SNMO.
REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INHERENT IN THE SALE OF A HOUSE
16.10
The SNMO pays the following expenses for the sale and/or purchase of a relocated employee’s main place of residence: a) brokerage fees, upon presentation of supporting documents after a sales contract is signed; b) the actual cost of notarial deeds incurred by the employee for the purchase of a house for residential purposes in the location to which they are posted, providing that the employee already owned their home at the time of the move, and that the said home is sold; c) penalties for breaking a mortgage, as well as the real estate transfer tax.
16.11
If a relocated employee’s house, despite being put up for sale at a reasonable price, is not sold by the time the employee must enter into new arrangements to be housed, the SNMO does not reimburse expenses for keeping the unsold house. In such a case, however, and upon presentation of receipts or supporting documents, the SNMO reimburses the following expenses for a maximum of three (3) months: a) municipal and school taxes; b) interest on the mortgage; c) the cost of the insurance premium.
16.12
If the relocated employee chooses not to sell their main residence, they can benefit from the provisions of this clause in order to avoid a double financial burden as owner if their main residence is not rented out when they have to take on new obligations for housing in the locality to which they are relocated. For the period until the house is rented out, the SNMO pays the employee the amount of their new rent for up to a maximum of three (3) months, upon presentation of the leases.
Furthermore, the SNMO reimburses reasonable advertising expenses and expenses for a maximum of two (2) trips to rent out the house, upon presentation of receipts or supporting documents and in accordance with the rules on travel expenses in force at the SNMO.
LIVING AND ASSIGNMENT EXPENSES
16.13
When the move from one residence to the other cannot be made directly due to reasons beyond the employee’s control other than the building of a new residence, the SNMO reimburses up to two (2) weeks of living expenses for the employee and their family in accordance with the rules on travel expenses in force at the SNMO.
16.14
If the move is postponed with the authorization of the SNMO, or if a married employee’s family is not relocated immediately, the SNMO pays travel costs for up to four hundred and eighty (480) kilometres for the employee to visit their family every two (2) weeks, if the return distance to be covered is equal to or less than 480 kilometres, or for up to a maximum of 1,600 kilometres once a month, if the return distance to be covered is greater than 480 kilometres.
TERMS OF PAYMENT
16.15
Moving expenses under this Article are reimbursed within sixty (60) days of the employee submitting receipts or supporting documents.