In addition, the Corporate Coaching Program has been reintroduced and will support the development of eleven active employees through 2020.

Risk Analysis:

There are no significant or critical risks associated with the recommendation.

Planning for the expected departure of employees with a significant amount of historical knowledge is critical to the long-term growth and success of the workplace. Succession planning and knowledge transfer are considered essential risk management tools to preserve vital knowledge within the workplace. Both Talent Management and Job Shadowing are important elements to help offset this risk.

Financial Matters:

During the 2019 Budget Deliberation process, City Council approved a budget increase of $100,000 to fund the Talent Management Program and Succession Planning reserve. During the 2018 Budget Deliberation process, City Council approved a recommended increase to the Human Resources Department Succession Planning Reserve of $5,000. Council further approved on April 23, 2018 via CR 237/2018 a one-time transfer of $500,000 from the 2017 Year End Operating Budget surplus to the Succession Planning Reserve. This funding will be utilized towards knowledge retention and to help offset any potential customer service level impacts that may arise during the transition periods given the number of retirements continues to increase.

Table 1 details the 2019 Succession Planning Reserve Account (1784) requests, associated funding and balance of the Reserve Account.

Table 2 details newly approved and/or departmental requests for succession planning funding for 2020 as of March 1, 2020.

Succession Planning Reserve 1784 funding requests will continue to be reported to City Council on an annual basis.

Table 1: 2019 Succession Planning Reserve Account (1784)

Opening Balance as of January 1, 2019 $705,371
Transfer from Human Resources Operating Budget $105,000
Talent Management Program – through to February 28, 2019 CAO-4449 ($13,303)
Talent Management Program – effective March 1, 2019 RFP #148-18
Contract #5312		 ($8,128)