Substantive position
The position to which an employee is appointed on an ongoing basis.
Plain English
Your real, permanent job, the one you return to when a temporary assignment ends.
If you’re new here
If you're acting or on assignment, your substantive is what's being held for you. Know what it is.
What they probably mean
“The job you actually own, not the one you're borrowing.”
Interpretation offered as humour, not authoritative guidance.
Bureaucracy level
How much government-speak this phrase carries. Playful indicator, not a judgement of anyone using it.
Related terms
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Important
GC Simplified is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, and it does not provide official advice. Plain language is an interpretation, and interpretations can be wrong. Always verify against the source and your organization’s own guidance before acting.