Temporary pause on external hiring: Overview and frequently asked questions

Effective December 11, 2024, the BC Public Service has implemented a temporary pause on external hiring for positions in the BC Public Service.

Exceptions to this are external hiring to fill critical and frontline positions, positions that support an urgent government priority, and internships through the Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP), Work-Able Internship Program, Co-op Employment Program and Youth Employment Program.

As a proactive measure to make sure the BC Public Service is making the best use of its resources in a constrained fiscal situation, ministries must review all staffing requirements and evaluate all existing competitions based on whether they fit within the temporary hiring pause parameters. Each deputy minister is responsible for determining which positions meet the criteria for external posting.

Competitions where an offer has been made on or before December 11, 2024 will proceed to completion. After this date, employment offers to external candidates will need to follow the ministry approval process.

Ministries are expected to manage the reassignment of work within their organization, as long as those reassignments respect the terms of employment contracts or collective agreements and do not impact classification or pay. 

Frequently asked questions

What is meant by a ‘pause’ on external hiring?

On December 11, Head of the BC Public Service Shannon Salter sent an executive update to all employees about the temporary hiring pause. The pause on external hiring means the BC Public Service will only post externally for positions required to fill critical and frontline positions or to meet an urgent government priority. This is not a hiring freeze, but rather a proactive measure to make sure the BC Public Service is making the best use of its resources in a constrained fiscal situation.

Positions in internship programs supporting reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion are an exception and can be posted for external recruitment.

Which positions are impacted by the external hiring pause?

All excluded and bargaining unit positions in the BC Public Service are impacted by the external hiring pause, except those that are identified as exemptions.

Is this effective immediately?

Yes, the pause is effective December 11, 2024.

How long will the external hiring pause last?

The external hiring pause is an opportunity to assess and balance how the BC Public Service is positioned to respond to government priorities and effectively meet the needs of the communities we serve. While there is no defined end date, this is considered an interim measure. The Head of the BC Public Service is committed to continued, open communication about the hiring pause.

Does this impact internal hiring?

While this is a temporary pause on external hiring, ministries are required to review all their internal and external staffing needs and evaluate all existing competitions based on whether they fit within the temporary hiring pause parameters. All existing competitions are subject to each ministry’s internal processes including deputy minister approval and reporting requirements.

How is a position determined to meet the criteria of critical and frontline or urgent government priority, for external posting?

This will be determined by the deputy minister in each ministry. Primary consideration should be given to positions outside of Victoria and Vancouver and those that support increasing diversity and being more representative of the communities we serve.

Are there any other exceptions beyond critical and frontline positions and urgent government priorities?

Yes. Hiring interns to the Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP), Work-Able Program, Co-op Employment Program and Youth Employment Program continues as normal. The BC Public Service remains committed to reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, and we recognize many of our internship programs support diversity in our organization. These programs remain unchanged and are an exception for hiring external candidates. 

Can my hiring competition still proceed?

Hiring managers must confirm with their supervisors if they have approval to proceed with their competition. All existing competitions will be evaluated based on whether they fit within the temporary hiring pause parameters. They are subject to each ministry’s internal process including deputy minister approval and reporting requirements.

For external competitions currently underway, can the hiring manager exclude external applicants and only consider the in-service applicants/employees?

Hiring decisions in the BC Public Service are based on merit. Once a position has been posted externally, the hiring manager is obligated to assess all applicants (both in-service and external) fairly and consistently. If a competition has been advertised externally, excluding external applicants from consideration after posting would undermine the principles of a transparent and merit-based hiring process.

If a ministry approval process has determined that a position is no longer eligible for external recruitment, the competition should be cancelled and reposted for in-service applicants/employees only.

An offer (verbal or written) has been made to an external candidate. Will that offer still be valid now?

Yes. Offers made on or before December 11, 2024 will proceed. Offers made after December 11, 2024 must follow each ministry’s internal process. 

How are eligibility lists impacted by the hiring pause?

Eligibility lists remain valid for the duration for which they were established. If an eligibility list includes external candidates, they are to be offered a position in accordance with their placement on the list.

Does this pause on external hiring impact the Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP), Work-Able Program, Co-op Employment Program and Youth Employment program?

No. The BC Public Service remains committed to reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, and we recognize many of our internship programs support diversity in our organization. These programs remain unchanged and are an exception for hiring external candidates. Ministries are encouraged to continue their support for these programs.

Does the external hiring pause apply to hiring for auxiliary and temporary positions?

Yes. The hiring pause applies to all hiring in the BC Public Service, which includes regular appointments, temporary assignments and auxiliary hires. 

Does the external hiring pause apply only to the BC Public Service?

The temporary external hiring pause applies to core BC Public Service positions. It does not apply to Crown Corporations or other public sector organizations.