Reduced Load Appointments

Tenure-stream staff may exceptionally request a reduced load appointment to accommodate extenuating circumstances, for example, related to family or dependant care. Faculty who are considering a Reduced Load Appointment (RLA) should understand that such appointments may make it more challenging to maintain the momentum necessary to meet the criteria and standards expected for reappointment, tenure, and promotion. Similarly, RLAs may make it more challenging to apply for research funding and salary awards, attract graduate students, and maintain a productive research agenda.

Requests for a RLA are determined on a discretionary, case-by-case, basis, and are based on an assessment of the circumstances of the staff member and the needs of the affected Department and Faculty. Where an RLA is granted, it is accompanied by a corresponding pro-rated reduction in salary and benefits. Nevertheless, staff members may elect to continue to pay their share of full employee benefits coverage, in which case the University shall also continue to pay its normal share of contributions.

Normally, the maximum period for which a RLA may be granted is three consecutive academic years.

To apply for a RLA from the Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic), a staff member must submit to academic.personnel [at] mcgill.ca :