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Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leave Policy

Giving birth to or adopting a child is a special event. Unpaid pregnancy, maternity and parental leave guarantee employees the right to be away from work for the occasion without forfeiting their job. In addition, many employers offer pregnancy, maternity and parental benefits that are more generous than required by employment standards laws. Either way, you must have a written HR policy establishing the ground rules for such leave—who’s eligible, how long it can last, required notification, etc.

  1. PURPOSE

Leaves are available so you can focus on your new responsibilities as a parent.

Maternity and parental leaves are covered under the Employment Standards Act.

  1. ELIGILIBILTY CRITERIA

Any employed associate in good standing, who gives birth to or adopts a child, and who has been with _________________________ on a full-time basis for at least 12 consecutive months (or the equivalent in part time work) before the date on which a leave period is to begin is eligible for benefits under this policy. Associates who are spouses of persons giving birth or adopting a child and who have been associated with _________________________ full time for 12 consecutive months, or the equivalent in part-time work, are eligible for parental leave benefits under this policy, regardless of sexual orientation, marital status or sex.

All partners in good standing who give birth to or adopt a child are eligible for benefits under this policy. Partners who are spouses of persons giving birth or adopting a child are also eligible for parental leave benefits under this policy, regardless of sexual orientation, marital status or sex.

  1. MATERNITY LEAVE

Birth parents expecting a baby are entitled to a maternity leave of up to 17 weeks. When combined with standard parental leave, the time off work can add up to 52 weeks. When combined with extended parental leave, the time off work can add up to 78 weeks.

If you’re eligible for maternity benefits (for example, if your Main Agreement or Terms & Conditions of Employment offer them), maternity leave begins 6 weeks before your expected due date. You can choose to begin your maternity leave up to 13 weeks before your due date or you can choose to defer it closer to your due date with written consent from your doctor or midwife. BCGEU, PEA, Queen’s Printer/Unifor and excluded employees don’t require written consent unless they’re absent and not able to perform their full duties within the six weeks before the expected due date and would like to return to full duties.

If you’re not eligible for maternity benefits (for example, if you’re an auxiliary employee), your leave is per the Employment Standards Act…