Workforce Relations
Maternity and Parental Leave
Frequently Asked Questions
Maternity Leave Plan "A" and Plan "B"
- Does Maternity Leave Plan "A" provide a Supplement to Employment Insurance (EI)?
No – only Maternity Leave Plan “B” provides a supplement to Employment Insurance. - Do I have to be in receipt of EI benefits to be eligible for Maternity Leave Plan "A"?
No - How do I know which plan I am eligible for?
See: Summary of Leave Types & Eligibility - Do I have to be in receipt of EI benefits to be eligible for Maternity Leave Plan "B"?
Yes - What if my doctor puts me on sick leave prior to my last day of work?
You will be placed on sick leave with pay if you have sick leave credits in your bank. You will be placed on sick leave up to the earliest of either the date you specified as your last working day in your Maternity and/or Parental Leave Request Form or the date of delivery.
If you do not have sick leave credits then you may be eligible and can apply for Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits. You will be placed on sick leave without pay. - What happens to my Voluntary Reduced Workweek (VRW) deductions when I go on Maternity Leave?
All VRW days must be taken prior to the commencement of the Maternity Leave and any outstanding deductions for the VRW program will be taken from your pay prior to beginning the leave. VRW deductions will not be deducted from the top-up. - Am I entitled to receive Remoteness Allowance while on Maternity Leave?
No, remoteness allowance is not payable during Maternity Leave.
Parental Leave
- How do I know which plan I am eligible for?
See: Summary of Leave Types & Eligibility - If I am adopting a child are there any supplementary benefits available to me?
No.
- Can I work during Parental Leave?
Yes – employees on Parental Leave can work at the discretion of their departmental employing authority. Employees returning from Parental Leave on a regular and recurring schedule would return on a part-time basis. Employees returning from Parental Leave on an intermittent (as if and when) basis would return on a casual basis. Please contact your Pay & Benefits Office for details on benefit entitlements.
You must complete the Working While on Parental Leave form.
- Are there impacts to my EI payments if I return to work while on Parental Leave? Yes - information can be found on Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's website at the following link: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_special.shtml#work
Paternity Leave
- What is Paternity Leave?
Paternity Leave of one day may be granted to a male employee to attend to needs directly related to the birth of his child.
Adoptive Parent Leave
- What is Adoptive Parent Leave?
Adoptive Parent Leave of one day may be granted to an employee to attend to needs directly related to the adoption of a child.
Please refer to Parental Leave above for more information.
