ETT Members,
The Board has advised that letters regarding placement into the TDSB Attendance Support Program will begin to go out in the first week of January.
The letter to impacted Teachers will indicate that according to Board records, you have reached or exceeded the attendance threshold of 14 days of non-culpable absences between September 1 – November 30, 2025.
You will be advised that the Board will now monitor your absence rate over the next “calculation period” (which is 3 months); and that you will be expected to, and be provided with, support to maintain an “absenteeism rate” below the rate established for Teachers (4 distinct days or 3 occurrences – e.g. 1 occurrence is that you are off with the flu for 5 days – ) during this calculation period.
The full description of the Attendance Support Program, PR 748, is available on the TDSB website.
ETT will also send out a shorter, clear language explainer when we return in January.
In the meantime, your Union is here to fully support.
What do I do if I am placed in the ASP?
- You have a right to Union representation.
- Your have Collective Agreement entitlements to sick/short term leave benefits
- You do not need to reveal your medical diagnosis/medical condition and your Union advises against doing this. This is your private medical information.
- Any Board requested meeting should occur with released time (not during your lunch, prep, after/before work).
If the School Board tells you that you are placed in the program:
- Notify your Union representative and send them a copy of the School Board’s letter
- Remember that the School Board will not seek Union representation for you at Level 1 meetings, but will do so at Level 2 meetings and higher.
- You should nonetheless request Union representation at all meetings with the School Board related to your attendance.
If you are absent due to a medical issue that requires accommodation, please notify the Board and your Union representative. The School Board should then refer you to the Health, Wellness and Abilities department.
Generally, and at each level, your Union strongly advises you to:
- Maintain your own records of your absences from work and the reasons
- Tell your Administrator that you are requesting Union representation for any/all meetings related to the program
- Reach out to your Union to arrange this support, as soon as possible.
- Find your ETT Executive Officer by clicking here
