6-510   UNPAID LEAVES
6-520   UNPAID COMPASSIONATE LEAVE
Approved September 2007

Staff are entitled to up to 8 weeks unpaid time off work every calendar year for compassionate care/family medical leave to provide care or support to a gravely ill member of his/her immediate family with a significant risk of death within 26 weeks.  See 6-500 Compassionate Leave for definition of “immediate family member”.

PROCEDURE

Staff are eligible for Employment Insurance Benefits after a 2-week waiting period, subject to the guidelines under HRDC’s Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits. 

Staff are required to provide written notice that they will be taking an unpaid compassionate leave and a copy of a medical certificate as proof that the ill family member needs care or support and is at significant risk of death within 26 weeks.

Vacation and sick leave days will continue to accrue and the Agency will provide all eligible benefits while on approved unpaid compassionate 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 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).

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