Retention Incentive
REGULAR POSITIONS
What is this funding?
The Retention Incentive provides a financial incentive for HSAA-represented employees with a regular position who commit to remaining in their regular position at their current worksite for a one-year Return for Service period.
Applications open September 14, 2026
Funding Available
Full-time (0.8–1.0 FTE) a Return for Service Agreement (RFS) is required
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Funding amount: $6,000
Part-time (0.4–0.79 FTE) a Return for Service Agreement (RFS) is required
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Funding Amount: $4,800
Part-time amounts are 80% of full-time amounts.
Lump sum payments are processed through payroll and are subject to applicable deductions including federal and provincial income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums. Recipients are encouraged to consult a tax professional regarding the implications for their personal tax situation.
Payment Structure
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One lump sum payment received within 2-3 pay periods after signing RFS.
Return For Service Agreement (RFS)
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An 1-year RFS is required
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The RFS begins on the date the agreement is signed
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All RFS agreements must begin no later than March 31, 2027
Who is eligible?
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Employees with a regular position (full-time or part-time) whose worksite is in either the North, Central, or South Zones
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Retention funding may be opened for applications from the Calgary and Edmonton Rural Zones ('Rural' is defined by worksites located 50 km or greater from the city centre) following a review of fund usage in early November
Who is not eligible?
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Casual and Temporary employees are not eligible for the Retention Incentive (including those with a regular position on a temporary contract)
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Employees who received a Recruitment Incentive in the current funding season are not eligible for a retention incentive
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Employees who have not completed their RCIF RFS term from the last funding season are not eligible for a retention incentive
Leave of Absence (LOA)
Employees represented by HSAA on an approved leave of absence remain eligible to apply for RCIF funding. Applications must meet the eligibility criteria for the relevant funding stream. Funding will be released upon the employee's return to their eligible position, or as approved by the RCIF committee. The RFS begins the day the employee returns to work from LOA absences of 30 or more calendar days will extend the RFS end date by the corresponding number of calendar days
What do you need to apply?
The employee must be the one who applies
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Employee contact information
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Manager contact information
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Employee job title, employee number, and union
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Employment classification (regular full-time or regular part-time)
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Worksite health zone
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Employee agreement to sign the Return for Service Agreement
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Functional cost centre
The functional cost centre number is 18 numbers and the format is as follows: xxx.xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx. To obtain the number, employees should reach out to their managers and managers should reach out to their local BAS representatives.
How to apply
The application window is September 14, 2026 to February 1, 2027
Applications are submitted through the Good Grants portal. Applicants will register with the email address they want to use for their application. A verification code will be sent to that email to complete registration.