The OCDSB uses a program created by Apply to Education called EasyConnect to fill daily absences. The manual for the program is here. The link for OCDSB OT Roster members will permit you to see EasyConnect and the Job Postings on ATE.
- For assistance or complaints call ATE at 1-877-900-562
The most common adjustment on EasyConnect is within your Profile dropdown (Experience, References, Resumes & Cover Letter etc.)
Members also have the ability to adjust the 10 (or less) schools within your profile. Look under EasyConnect > Occasional Preferences > Edit Preferences to scroll down to school selection then go to the bottom of the page and select “Save”.
Link to ATE Manual
- Q: How do I find out about Call Out Rules or change my schools list?
A: Please go to www.ate.ca and select Help and Training in the menu bar to understand the Call Out rules.
You can change your elective schools online through your ATE profile. After logging into ATE, find the EasyConnect heading and in the dropdown -> Occasional Preferences -> OCDSB edit preferences -> scroll to the bottom. Their email address is otlistelementary@ocdsb.ca, you shouldn’t have to provide any extensive explanation of rational.
- Q: What is the Order of Call?
A: The system calls people on the approved school list in order of qualifications, starting with the person who has had the fewest calls in the last month. Missed calls, refused assignments, etc. all count as a call. If no one on the approved list for that school accepts the job, then the system calls the people who selected that school as one of their 10 preferred list schools. If no member accepts the job on any of those calls, it will sit on the job board, till accepted and may remain unfilled. Check the job board after 8:00 pm.
- Q: What are the call times?
A: Same Day Assignments – calls will occur from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm (or up to 15 minutes after the start of the assignment) Monday through Friday; and
Next Day Assignments – calls will occur from 5:00 pm (4:30 pm for FSL assignments) to 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday.
- Q: When do we call the ATE Help Line?
A: Whenever you have a concern or question about the way the system is functioning mechanically or you are unable to input date, access the Help and Training module on ATE. There is a wide range of topic assistance. There is also a “still need help” component. If you require additional help, call 1-877-900-5627, Mon – Fri, 7:30 am to 7:00 pm.
- Q: How do I report lost work because of an EasyConnect glitch or because the order of call was not respected and can I get paid for lost work?
A: Call the OCEOTA office at 613-221-9135 and ask to speak to the 1st Vice-President
- Q: Last night I accepted a job offer through EasyConnect and the response was that the job was no longer available. How can this be?
A: One of the features of the Call Out System is the ability for OTs who were called prior to the last call to go into their archives, call ATE, and accept the position if it is still not filled. This may happen while you are being offered the assignment and the result is that the job is accepted before your call is completed and you miss the job.
Jobs should not be on the job board until 8:00 pm. If you are getting a call after 8:00 pm for a job the next day, then someone could also be looking on the job board and take the job while you are listening to the phone call. We have raised objections but have no power to make the changes we want unless it is in bargaining.
If a concern is raised to OCEOTA please include any factual detail in your email. When exactly was the call? What was the job #? Perhaps the principal didn’t follow the rules and put the job to the job board immediately instead of letting the system put it to the job board after 8:00 pm. Please encourage all members to report so HR and OCEOTA can police the system together. If we raise the matter and don’t find anything wrong, our questions serve to remind all Ps that we are vigilant and will address any kind of misuse of the system that affects the wellbeing of OCEOTA members.
- Q: What types of EasyConnect Issues should we report to the Union?
A: Report the following issues to 1st Vice President via email or phone call:
- Manual fills which are not for continuing assignments;
- Preferential treatment of a particular OT in a school;
- Continuing assignments which have a different OT each day;
- Incorrect times or percentages for jobs;
