April 6, 2017 – Manitoba Hydro will offer a voluntary departure program to its employees in support of its previously announced plan to reduce its overall workforce.

The announcement comes as the corporation completed a further review of its senior management structure, resulting in a “significant streamlining” of positions reporting directly to vice-presidents and an elimination of 15% of the positions reviewed. The number of vice-presidents was previously reduced by 30% through an executive restructuring in February.

The senior management changes and voluntary departure program are the latest steps in a process to transform the organization that began last September after a review by the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board identified the need to address corporation’s “financial health”. The utility then committed to reducing its workforce by approximately 900 positions and says it plans to make a General Rate Application for increased electric rates to the Public Utilities Board (PUB), filing the application by early May 2017.

“The voluntary departure program is the preferred first step to achieving our target workforce reduction,” said Kelvin Shepherd, Manitoba Hydro’s president and CEO. “It’s fair to our employees, providing a financial incentive to those who choose to voluntarily leave the company.”

The voluntary departure program will be offered beginning Monday, April 10, and available for six weeks. The majority of Manitoba Hydro employees will be eligible to apply and be considered for the program, the company said.