PSEE Reading Comprehension 2

Question 1

Policy: 'Sick leave may be used for personal illness or to care for an ill immediate family member.
Immediate family is defined as spouse, child, or parent.
Extended sick leave beyond 10 days requires a medical certificate.' An employee takes 12 sick days to care for an ill sibling.
What applies?

Accepted Answer

The leave may be denied because siblings are not defined as immediate family.

Answer

The leave is fully approved because siblings are family.

Answer

The leave requires a medical certificate because it exceeds 10 days.

Answer

The leave is approved only for the first 10 days.

Question 2

Directive: 'All external communications representing the department must be approved by the Communications Branch before release. Routine internal emails between employees are exempt.' A manager sends an email to a partner organization summarizing a policy change. Does it require approval?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because it is an external communication representing the department.

Answer

No, because email is an informal medium.

Answer

No, because it is a routine communication.

Answer

Yes, only if it contains classified information.

Question 3

Notice: 'The new code of conduct applies to all public servants effective April 1. Public servants who joined before this date will have a 60-day transition period to complete mandatory training.' An employee hired March 15 has not completed training by May 1. Are they in compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because they joined before April 1 and their 60-day window extends to approximately May 31.

Answer

No, because all training must be completed by April 1.

Answer

Yes, because training is optional for pre-April 1 hires.

Answer

No, because the transition period only applies to senior employees.

Question 4

Passage: 'The Treasury Board of Canada sets government-wide policies on human resources, financial management, and information management. Individual departments implement these policies but may not contradict them.' A department issues a leave policy that allows fewer vacation days than the Treasury Board minimum. Is this permitted?

Accepted Answer

No, departmental policies cannot contradict Treasury Board policies.

Answer

Yes, departments may customize policies within their mandate.

Answer

Yes, if approved by the department head.

Answer

No, but only if employees formally object.

Question 5

Report excerpt: 'In 2023, the federal public service processed 2.4 million applications, a 15% increase over 2022. Processing times improved by an average of 3 days. However, the backlog of unprocessed applications grew by 8%.' Which conclusion is supported?

Accepted Answer

Processing became more efficient but the workload increased faster than capacity.

Answer

Processing times worsened in 2023.

Answer

The backlog decreased because of improved processing times.

Answer

The 15% increase in applications caused processing times to rise by 3 days.

Question 6

Excerpt: 'Values and Ethics in the public service include respect for democracy, respect for people, integrity, stewardship, and excellence. Stewardship involves using public resources responsibly and in the long-term public interest.' A manager approves premium office furniture at three times the standard cost for personal preference. Which value is most clearly violated?

Accepted Answer

Stewardship

Answer

Respect for democracy

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Excellence