Pregnancy / Maternity / Parental Leave (L11.04, C8.00)

(HR001 form - or available in school office as a triplicate form)

 

Under the Ontario Employment Standards Act pregnant employees have the right to take a pregnancy leave of up to 17 weeks of unpaid time off work, and both new parents have the right to take parental leave of up to 61 or 63 weeks of unpaid time off work.

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Under the Employment Insurance Act (overseen by the Federal Government) the person giving birth is entitled up to 15 weeks of EI Maternity benefits up to 55% of their average insured earnings, up to a maximum of $668 per week for 2024.  Either parent may also then receive either EI Standard Parental (up to 40 weeks total between both parents or up to 35 weeks total for one parent) or EI Extended Parental benefits (up to 69 weeks total between both parents, or up to 61 weeks total for one parent).  For more information on EI Benefits as it relates to Maternity / Parental leave, please click here.

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Under our Collective Agreement (L11.04), a member giving birth is entitled to a Supplementary Employment Benefit (SEB) plan to top up their EI Benefits for 8 weeks of salary at 100%.

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For more information on applying for a Pregnancy / Maternity / Parental leave, please review the documents provided below:

 

9 Steps to Apply for Maternity / Parental Leave

Maternity / Parental Leave Supplemental Information Sheet

Scenarios to Consider When Planning Your Maternity / Parental Leave

Important Contacts re: Maternity / Parental Leave

Sample Letter to Board re: Maternity Leave

Sample Letter to Board re: Request for SEB & Top-Up (Maternity leave only)

Sample Letter to Board re: Parental Leave (Prior to Birth or Adoption)

Sample Letter to Board re: Parental Leave (Post Birth or Adoption)

Provincial OSSTF Maternity / Parental Leave Guide

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To learn more about Pregnancy / Maternity / Parental Leaves please consider attending one of our Maternity / Parental Leave workshops, held once per semester.  To see when the next workshop is being held, please click here.

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Please contact Amy Reinders, First Vice-President, for information regarding Maternity / Parental leaves at amy.reinders@d18.osstf.ca

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Extended Parental Leave (L11.04.02)

(HR001 form - or available in school office as a triplicate form)

 

A member who is currently on a parental leave may extend their leave by up to one additional year by applying for an extended parental leave.  This extended leave must commence immediately at the end of the original parental leave.

 

Members wishing to extend their parental leave must complete a new HR001 form indicating the start and end date of the leave, and identifying the reason for the leave as ‘Extended Parental Leave as per L.11.04.02 of the Collective Agreement.’  The HR001 form, as well as a supporting letter (template letter available here), must be submitted to your Principal/Supervisor at least 4 weeks prior to the end of the original parental leave.

 

Please note that moving from a parental leave to an extended parental leave will lead to a change in the cost of your benefits.  As per L11.04.02.05, a teacher on extended parental leave “shall pay 100% of the premium cost while on extended leave,” or may choose to suspend all or some of their benefits plan for the duration of their leave. Teachers should contact OTIP for benefit options and cost while on leave.

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Please contact Amy Reinders, First Vice-President, for information regarding Extended Parental Leaves at amy.reinders@d18.osstf.ca

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