Am I eligible under the Relocation Policy?

Your eligibility is based on your job title and the term of your new position. You are considered eligible if you are a tenure-stream faculty member, prospective tenure-stream faculty member, librarian, or senior management staff who is relocating to the UBC Vancouver campus from outside Metro Vancouver or the UBC Okanagan campus from outside the Kelowna area.

Eligible faculty and librarian positions include:

• Professor (tenure/tenure-track/grant tenure/grant tenure-track)
• Professor of Teaching (tenure/tenure-track/grant tenure/grant tenure-track)
• University Killam Professor
• Associate Professor (tenure/tenure-track/grant tenure/grant tenure-track)
• Assistant Professor (tenure/tenure-track/grant tenure/grant tenure-track)
• Acting Assistant Professor (tenure track/grant tenure-track)
• Instructor (tenure track/grant tenure-track)
• Senior Instructor (tenure/grant tenure)
• University Librarian
• Acting University Librarian
• General Librarian (confirmed/confirmed-track/grant confirmed/grant confirmed-track)
• Administrative Librarian (confirmed/probationary)
• Program Director (confirmed/probationary)

Senior management staff are considered to be the President, Vice-Presidents (VPs) and Associate Vice-Presidents (AVPs). Any exceptions must be authorized by the Vice President, Human Resources.

Appointments not eligible under the Relocation Policy

If you are in other positions (including Post-Doctoral Fellows, Visiting Scholars, Research Associates, Sessional Lecturers and other staff not in senior management positions) that are temporary, visiting or sessional, you are not eligible for financial assistance from the Central Relocation Fund, the UBC fund that supports the relocation policy.

You do however have the option to access one of UBC’s designated relocation companies, at your expense, for your moves to and from Canada. The University has arranged for these companies to provide the same negotiated rates and tariffs to new hires not eligible under Policy HR6 – Relocation (formerly Policy #82). For more information, visit our Contact page.

Please note:

• You will be expected to make payments directly to the movers.
• You won’t need a purchase order to pay your relocation invoice.

All the information eligible faculty and senior managers need to know to access relocation funds.

Image

Relocation process for faculty and senior management

A step-by-step guide walking you through all the actions required to access reimbursement for relocation expenses.

Learn more

Image

Moving companies: options, contacts and claims

Learn about the designated relocation and moving company options and how to contact them.

Learn more

Image

Central Relocation Fund

Details about the reimbursement amounts available from the fund.

Learn more

Resources for completing the relocation process

Occupational & Preventive Health (OPH) for UBC faculty, staff and student employees.

UBC’s OPH unit provides confidential and free programs and services to help protect the health and safety of staff, faculty, and paid students working both on and off-campus, including UBC-Okanagan and hospital sites.

To request an appointment with an Occupational Health Nurse, please email oph.info@ubc.ca. 

What can OPH help with?

• Workplace risk assessments with consideration of employee personal health histories
• Supportive consultation with the Occupational Health Nurse, including a focus on prevention of injury/exposure
• Immunization review with an Occupational Health Nurse
• Vaccinations, tests, and screenings based on workplace exposure risks
• Medical clearance for respirator fit testing
• Pregnancy planning and workplace risk assessments (i.e. chemical exposure risk)
• Occupational allergy prevention, diagnosis, and follow-up care
• Workplace risk assessments for exposure to infectious agents (i.e. Hepatitis B Virus)
• Consultations with the OPH Physician
• Specialist referrals for occupational related health concerns
• Referral to the Centre for Workplace Accessibility or the Stay at Work/Return to Work Team

Explore these popular Occupational Health topics

Contact OPH

Clinic Location: 
David Strangway Building

311-5950 University Blvd.

Vancouver BC, V6T1Z3

Tel: 604-827-4713
E-mail: oph.info@ubc.ca

UBC ergonomics advisors

Vancouver Campus & Lower Mainland Sites

Abigail Overduin, Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist
Ergonomics Program Lead, UBC Vancouver & Lower Mainland
ergonomics.info@ubc.ca or 604-822-9040

UBC Okanagan Campus

Health, Safety and Environment
hse.ok@ubc.ca
https://operations.ok.ubc.ca/health-and-safety/ergonomics/

Not UBC staff/faculty?

Consult a Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist

Manual Material Handling (MMH) tasks contribute to a large percentage of our WSBC time loss accepted injuries at UBC. It is important that both staff and supervisor recognize MMH hazards, follow safe working procedures and implement effective ergonomic interventions that eliminate or minimize the risk and impact of MMH injuries.

UBC’s Ergonomics Program offers the following resources:

• Training. Register online for one of our regularly scheduled MMH Ergonomics Trainings
• Lifting guidelines: how much is too much and guidance on lifting mechanics. 

Contact ergonomics.info@ubc.ca if you require additional assistance.

UBC's ergonomics team is available for individual ergonomic assessments of your workspace. The goal of the assessment is to improve your comfort and reduce your risk of musculoskeletal injuries while working. 

To request an ergonomics assessment, complete an ergonomics assessment request form to provide some background information. 

Request an ergonomics assessment

About the request form:

• The form typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
• For virtual or home office assessments, you will need to include some photos and measurements.
• If you have any questions or difficulty completing the form, please contact the Ergonomics team.  

Who can request an assessment: 

• We are able to provide ergonomic assessment for all UBC faculty, staff and students with an active paid appointment.
• Ergonomic assessments are available for all UBC work environments including offices, home offices, laboratories, libraries, facilities, building services, dentistry, food services, child care, etc. 

Resources before requesting an ergonomics assessment:

• Review our resources and office ergo webinar.to explore practical strategies for setting up your workstation effectively.
• Speak with your manager about your concerns. They may be aware of additional resources available in your department.
• Report a work-related injury if you believe that your injury was caused or significantly aggravated by your work. Please guidance on how to report, please refer to Accident/Incident reporting process.

What happens next:

• After you submit your request, we'll contact you to schedule an assessment. The assessment typically takes up to one hour and includes a review of your concerns and an evaluation of your workstation. This may involve taking photos and measurements. Where possible, we'll make on-the-spot adjustments to improve your setup.
• After the assessment, we will connect with your Manager to discuss recommendations and feasible solutions. Purchasing decisions are typically made by the department. A report will be shared with both you and your Manager. 

Report an incident

Ergonomic injuries (overexertion and repetitive strain injuries) account for over 40% of the days lost from WSBC accepted time loss claims. Report an incident on the UBC Safety and Risk Services website. 

Regulations

Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk factors are regulated under sections (4.46 to 4.53) of the BC Worker’s Compensation Act which places a legal responsibility on employers to identify factors in the workplace that may expose workers to a risk of MSI, assess the risk level and implement controls to eliminate or, if that is not practical, minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

The purpose of the WSBC Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements (4.46 to 4.53) requirements is to eliminate or, if that is not practicable, minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury to workers

Accident-incident investigations-ergo (MSI) related

Section 4.49 of the WSBC Ergonomics MSI Requirements outlines risk factors that must be considered, where applicable, in the identification and assessment of the risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI). The information below is provided to assist you with your investigation, contact UBC’s Ergonomics Team if you require additional assistance.

• Incident Investigations: Lifting  Tool
• Ergo MSI Investigation Tip Sheet (pdf)

Safe lifting

• Lifting Limits: how much is too much?
• Safe Lifting Resource Sheet

Risk factors (MSI)

There are several factors that impact the risk of developing a musculoskeletal injury (MSI). Risk factors are multiplicative; for example, awkward posture combined with force substantially increases strain on the body’s musculature system compared to either factor alone.

• Posture
• Force
• Repetition & Static Load
• Duration
• Environment
• Contact
• Stress
• Psychosocial

Posture

When considering the ergonomics of a workstation we look for a layout that facilitates a comfortable (neutral) working posture; workstations that require awkward postures not only increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury they also result in reduced efficiency. Not all awkward postures result in a high risk of musculoskeletal injury or reduced efficiency; whether changes need to be made will depend on how the risk factors interact.

Consider the following questions when looking for risk factors in your environment.

• Does the task promote working in an awkward posture?
• Does the layout of the work result in workers reaching away from their body or overhead?
• Is the bench or table height adequate or does it promote bending, twisting or crouching?
• How extreme is the awkward posture?
• How frequent is that posture repeated or is it held for a sustained period of time?
• Is any force applied while working in an awkward posture?

Risk factors are multiplicative: bending (awkward posture) combined with heavy lifting (force) places extreme stress on the spine.

Force

Your lifting powerzone is within mid-thigh to waist level. Heavy items should only be placed on the ground if they will be moved with a dolly and not lifted; if you will need lift a heavy item, it should be stored within your powerzone.

Determining if an item can be safely lifted depends on multiple factors; you can lift less weight overhead or from the ground as compared to at waist level; likewise, your strength capacity is less if the load is awkward or if there’s no hand hold to firmly grasp the object.

Consider the following questions when determining if an item can be safely lifted:

• How heavy is the object?
• Can you get in close?
• Is the object at waist level or overhead or at ground level?
• Is the object an awkward shape?
• Can you get a good grip on the object?
• How many times do you have to lift?
• Can a dolly be used rather than lifting the item?

About musculoskeletal injuries

Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSIs), also known as Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), are injuries that affect muscles, tendons and ligaments, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue. These injuries can occur from overexertion, such as when lifting a heavy box, or from repeatedly using the same muscles over and over again as is the case with Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs). Examples of MSIs include Rotator Cuff tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and low back injuries involving ligaments, muscles or spinal discs.

MSIs make up approximately 30% of WorkSafe BC injury claims at UBC.

The Occupational Health & Safety Regulations require employers to identify and assess workplace risk factors in order to eliminate or if that is not practical, minimize, the risk of MSI to workers.

Office ergo videos: 

Ergo webinars and training specific to office environments

• Ergo Your UBC Office. (30 minutes)
• Remote work. Home office ergo. (30 minutes)
• Digital Eye Strain. (45 minutes)

Accessibility webinars

• See accessibility related webinars from the Centre for Workplace Accessibility. 

Ergo orientations: DEPT specific

DEPT specific ergo orientations are available.  Each course contains five videos and each video is 5 to 10 minutes. After completing the quiz, you will receive a certificate of completion. 

• SHCS Building service worker ergo orientation  (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• SHCS Building service worker warm-up to work (10 minutes, exercise video). Set 1 poster.  Set 2 poster.
• SHCS Child care ergo orientation (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• SHCS Residence Front Desk ergo orientation (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• SHCS Food Services ergo orientation (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• UBC Botanical gardens ergo orientation (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• UBC Farm ergo orientation (1hr total. 5 videos, each video is 5 to 10 minutes, quiz at the end)
• UBC Animal Care. Ergo Orientation. Safe lifting & large animals (20 to 30 minutes. 3 videos, 4 to 7 mintes plus additional resources)

Shiftwork and fatigue

This joint presentation with UBC's Occupation and Preventive Health team will provide you with tips and strategies to support your health when working shiftwork. 

• Shiftwork & fatigue (30 minutes, joint presentation with OPH)

Movement Breaks

• Ergo Your Posture.  (15 minutes recording) or sign-up for invitation to live weekly sessions.
• UBC Rec Move U Crew. Book the Move U Crew to lead a live movement break for your team.
• UBC Animal Care. Strengthening & Stretching with Allan McGavin Physio (15 minutes. 3 videos, each 4 to 6 minutes, demonstrating strengthening & stretching exercises, geared at animal care workers but open to all workers).
• SHCS Warm-up Phase II video (10 minutes)
• Fitting in Movement. (45 minutes)

Customized workshops

Please contact ergonomics.info@ubc.ca to discuss options to arrange a customized or DEPT specific ergonomic workshop. 

UBC’s Stay at Work/Return to Work offers employees the support they need while managing a medical impairment or disability, and provides advice for supervisors who are working with an ill or injured faculty or staff member.

If you are an employee requesting a sit-stand desk for medical reasons

Please contact your Return to Work & Accommodations Advisor (RTWAA). Your RTWAA will assist you in collecting the necessary medical information, as a note from your healthcare provider recommending a sit-stand desk is generally not sufficient on its own. Your RTWAA will also work with you and your department to determine reasonable solutions to accommodate your medical limitations and restrictions.

If you are a supervisor who has an employee requesting a sit-stand desk for medical reasons

Please contact the Return to Work& Accommodations Advisor (RTWAA) that supports your department.  The RTWAA will guide you through the process and connect you to available resources.

What to expect

An individual height adjustable workstation is only one option to consider. Your department may consider other options such as incorporating movement into the job design (e.g. rotating tasks), and/or allowing individuals to take standing breaks at set intervals, and/or providing the staff or faculty member with access to a shared height-adjustable workstation.

A workplace accommodation does not necessarily result in the originally requested option. Once information about limitations and restrictions is shared, an open dialogue can begin to explore options and ideas that offer reasonable solutions. This communication should involve creativity, flexibility and may require compromise by both parties.

If you require assistance in determining which height adjustable workstation to purchase, please refer to the Ergo Purchasing guide. 

Funding

Purchasing furniture and equipment, including sit-stand desks, is a department-level responsibility.

Join the Ergo Your Posture virtual sessions for a weekly movement break.

Join Athletics & Rec for a live Zoom 15-minute gentle movement break, Wednesdays at 10am.

Sessions run every Wednesday at 10am for 15 minutes. The movement break exercises were developed in conjunction with Allan McGavin Physio. Participants can keep their cameras off and adjust the movements according to their abilities. 

Dates

• Winter term 2 dates: January 14th, 2026 to April 8th, 2026 (excluding February 18, reading week)

Register for virtual sessions

Register your participation and you will receive a Zoom link by email to attend the live Zoom sessions.

Register now!

Resources

• Download our poster and take part in the exercises at your convenience.
• Watch a recorded session (15 minutes) anytime.
• Book the Move U Crew (UBC Athletics & Rec) to lead a stretch break with your team. 

As we show you the exercises, participate as best you can, but keep the exercises within a comfortable range. Follow-up with your Healthcare Provider if you're not sure what is right for you.