We understand that life circumstances like chronic medical conditions, health and safety concerns, or experiences of domestic violence can impact attendance. If these or similar issues are affecting you, please reach out to Candice Potz confidentially. She is here to discuss potential supports and explore your options. It is not necessary to get into these details via the OSSTF asp@d24tbu.ca email address.

Please forward this email to asp@d24tbu.ca as soon as you receive it.

Use the ASP Absence Tracker (digital, print) to ensure your absences have been documented correctly by the WRDSB.

Forward the email to asp@d24tbu.ca as soon as you receive it. If you are not asked in writing (ie verbally), please ask for the request in writing, and then forward to asp@d24tbu.ca. 

Please respond to the email in writing using the following wording verbatim:

“I recognize that the Board may have a concern about a pattern of absences and is requesting a meeting with myself and OSSTF (the Union) to discuss the concern. [Letter of Understanding RE: Medical Documentation 3.d)] The Board recognizes the Bargaining Unit to represent me at any meeting when my conduct or competence is being questioned. [L3.04] As I have been summoned to a meeting for the purpose of discussing a professional difficulty, I was to be informed of this entitlement to representation prior to the meeting, unless the Board advised the Bargaining Unit about the meeting in advance of the meeting. [L7.03] As such, I am requesting that the meeting be rescheduled for a time when one of my Bargaining Unit Officers can be present to represent me in this concern.”

Please cc: asp@d24tbu.ca on this response email.

If/when your request for union representation is denied in writing, forward this denial to asp@d24tbu.ca

Attend the meeting (see next question below).

You are not required to, and should not, reveal private medical information to your employer. If asked to explain an absence, respond with reference to the EasyConnect code used - “it was a personal illness”, “it was a medical appointment”, etc. If pressed for further details, feel free to indicate you are following advice from OSSTF by responding in this way. Be courteous, but brief in your responses.

Teachers will receive an email after 9 ASP-counting absences have occurred over a 12 month period. This is referred to as Coaching Level One.

OSSTF has been informed that the WRDSB has mandated this number of absences by considering historical averages of absences over different job classes.

Yes, you have 11 sick days that can be taken during one school year (September 1 - June 30). This has not changed. Please take your sick days and other contractually guaranteed leave days when you need them.

No. Use your sick days. If you are entered into the ASP after 9 ASP-qualifying occurrences of absence in a 12 month period, there are a number of stages that will follow with specific guidelines. Your union will support you through this process.

The WRDSB’s ASP looks at the most recent 12 month period of a teacher’s attendance (excluding July & August). NOTE: Absences that occurred prior to June 1, 2026, are not counted towards the ASP. See this WRDSB document for more details on how their program collects absence data.

No, absences during summer school teaching will not be counted towards the ASP.

One half day counts as 1 occurrence of absence.

Two days of absence, whether consecutive or non-consecutive, count as 2 occurrences of absence.

The ASP began on June 1, 2026. No absences before this date are included in ASP totals.

Any unpaid Board-approved absences or leaves do not count towards ASP totals.