6-470 PREGNANCY/PARENTAL LEAVE
Approved April 2010

POLICY

Pregnancy and/or parental leave will be granted for parents to spend time with a newborn or newly adopted child in accordance with Provincial and Federal employment standards.

PROCEDURE

The Agency will continue providing all eligible benefits during the pregnancy/parental leave.  The Agency Pension Plan is a contributory plan, whereby the contribution by the staff is matched by the Agency.  Should a staff wish to continue receiving the Agency’s full contribution to the Registered Pension Plan during the pregnancy/parental leave, the staff must make arrangements to continue paying his/her contributions for the duration of the leave.

Prior to the leave, staff are required to indicate whether they will continue to make contributions during his/her leave, or cease contributions until the end of the leave (see Appendix 22).

Vacation and sick leave days will accrue while on pregnancy or parental leave.

At the employee's request, already accrued vacation time may be added to the leave.

The staff must submit a written notice for pregnancy leave at least two weeks before beginning the leave.  Under Section 46(5)/(48) of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 any changes to the pregnancy/parental leave must be submitted in writing at least 2 weeks before the date of the planned leave, or if later, at least 2 weeks before the date set out in the original notice.  Under Section 47(4)/(49) a staff who decides not to return must give at least 4 weeks written notice.

The employee will be returned to the same or equivalent position with equivalent salary as if the employee had worked throughout the leave. An employee on pregnancy leave will not be terminated or laid off because of the pregnancy.

 HRMaual