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.
The committee has opened the application window for the Retention Incentive. Approvals are being processed on a rolling basis until Feb 1, 2027. The fund is projected to be available to all eligible applicants under the current criteria. Due to the volume of applications, it will take time for applications to be processed.
We'll share updates here as the process moves forward.
Applications open September 14, 2026 - February 1, 2027
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.
The application window is September 14, 2026 to February 1, 2027
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Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis starting September 2026
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If an application is approved, an approval letter will be sent along with a Return for Service Agreement (RFS)
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Due to the volume of applications, please allow additional time for approval
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Once the RFS is signed, the lump sum payment will follow within 2–3 pay periods.
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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For the purposes of RCIF, work site means the employee’s designated work location as recorded in ePeople. To be eligible for recruitment or retention incentives, the employee must physically work at that site; however, employees with an approved remote or hybrid work arrangement are eligible only if their employer site (defined as any location the employee is directed to go to by the employer) is also in the North, Central or South Zone.
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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
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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
Temporary Assignments and Leave of Absence (LOA)
Regular employees in a temporary role or on a leave of absence are eligible to apply. If approved, they will receive the Return for Service Agreement and funding once they return to their regular position provided they return on or before February 15, 2028.
The RFS begins the day the employee returns to their regular position. For LOA absences of 30 or more calendar days, the RFS end date will be extended by the corresponding number of LOA 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
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Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis starting September 2026
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If an application is approved, an approval letter will be sent along with a Return for Service Agreement (RFS)
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Once the RFS is signed, the lump sum payment will follow within 2–3 pay periods.
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Applications are submitted through the Good Grants portal (the link will be available September 14). 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.