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This change will improve the pay experience for employees by streamlining payroll operations, reducing workload for payroll staff, and ensuring a more efficient process for issuing pay and pay statements.

Some of the benefits to be realized by faculty and staff are:

• Pay will reflect time actually worked within the pay period, including vacation, sick leave, etc.
• Earlier and more complete view of pay-related data, such as vacation available and accrued seniority
• Overtime payments can be paid in the pay period overtime was accrued
• Reduce the number of payroll corrections due to payroll processing before time is actually worked  

In January 2026, there will be a one-time adjustment to your pay dates: 

• January 9: One week of pay 
• January 16: One week of pay 
• January 30: Two weeks of pay 

 I²Ô February 2026, your pay will continue on the usual bi-weekly schedule. The pay dates for February will be February 13 a²Ô»å February 27, followed by subsequent bi-weekly pay periods.    

No, you will not lose any pay due to this change. The adjustment in January will ensure that you receive your full pay for the month, and you will continue to have 26 pay periods within the calendar year.   

January 2026 was selected to ensure faculty and staff received their full 4 weeks of pay within the month, to ensure there were 26 pay periods within the calendar year. 

We understand that the change in pay dates could affect your budgeting or financial planning, especially if your financial obligations align with specific pay dates. To minimize the impact, SFU is providing early notice to give you time to plan and prepare. Please use this downloadable letter of reference to help you explain the change to your financial institution or bank, if necessary. You may wish to contact your bank or financial institution if you anticipate any disruptions in your financial planning.

No, the synchronization of pay dates will not affect your benefits or payroll deductions. They will continue to be processed as usual, in alignment with the updated pay schedule.  

No. An employee's gross earnings for the 2026 tax year will remain the same, meaning there will be no tax implications stemming from the pay schedule change.

The first pay under the new system will be on January 9, 2026. You will receive one week of pay on that date, followed by one week pay on January 16, and two weeks pay on January 30. 

No, this is an operational change to increase payroll efficiency and improve pay reporting.  

This is a one-time alignment of pay periods. We will not change the pay schedule again in the future.

Yes, our payroll department will remain available to answer any questions during this transition. Please reach out to the pay sync team at paysync@sfu.ca for any inquiries regarding the pay schedule change.

You are also invited to attend a virtual information session taking place Tuesday, May 27 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. to learn more about the project, ask questions and share input that will support the team to finalize the project plan. 

If you have additional questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to the pay sync team at paysync@sfu.ca. We’re here to help and will provide any assistance you need as we make this transition.