Maternity/Parental Leave CO-PRESENTED BY PEACE WAPITI SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 76 AND THE ALBERTA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Did You Know? Your grandmother could be fired as a teacher if she got pregnant. Your mother would be told when her maternity leave could start and finish. Your school board follows the law and the collective agreement which provides you with both a maternity and a parental leave.

Where do Teachers Rights for Maternity Leave Reside? Legislation: - Employment Standards Code Provides time off (not salary) - Human Rights Supreme Court of Canada Decisions Arbitration Decisions

Basic Principles Any collective agreement language, policy or practice in the area of maternity leave must conform to the following principles: 1. Pregnant women cannot be treated less favorably than other teachers. 2. Collective agreements, policy or practice cannot impinge upon or contradict statutory entitlements; for example, collective agreement obligations such as benefit payment and salary pay dates still apply.

Legislation–Employment Insurance Employment Standards Code Basic Entitlements & Features

Employment Standards Code After 52 weeks of employment: Fifteen weeks of maternity leave; –Only available to birth mother. Thirty-seven weeks of parental leave; –Both parents, for birth & adoption. Completed within one year. Six weeks notice to depart, four weeks notice to return.

Employment Insurance (EI) Eligibility: –600 hours in the previous 52 weeks. Rate: –Fifty-five per cent of average weekly earnings in past 26 weeks to a maximum of $457/week (annual salary of $43 200). Other income: –Parental benefit - you may earn up to $50 or 25 per cent of weekly entitlement without penaltyanything more will be deducted from EI benefit; –Maternity - any income is deducted dollar for dollar.

EI Maternity Benefits 17 week maternity benefit which includes a 2 week unpaid waiting period. Available during the summer months and vacation periods. No benefits paid beyond 17 weeks following the birth of the child unless the child was not released from the hospital in a timely fashion as a result of medical problems. Can be started anytime between 10 weeks prior to birth date and the Sunday following the date of birth. Starting date depends on how long you wish to stay off, but it is usually economically advantageous to start as late as possible.

EI Parental Benefits (Adoption or Birth) 35 week parental benefit that may be claimed by either parent or split between them. Father must be eligible for EI. Only one waiting period must be served. Available during the summer months and vacation periods. Mother and father can claim simultaneously. Must be used within one year of the childs birth or placement; –Dad can collect during summer/Christmas break.

What to do if Youre Pregnant In the first 6 months: follow your doctors orders: continue to do your best as a teacher, attend a maternity leave presentation, call the ATA and/or look on-line, sometimes things happen… so do not say anything to your principal (supervisor) or your school board (employer) yet

What to do if Youre Pregnant (cont) Sometime after 6 months: keep following your doctors orders, call the ATA to discuss when and how your maternity leave might best work, call Human Resources at Peace Wapiti SD (but you do not need to get permission from HR to access usual sick leave for occasional illness). as a courtesy, let your principal know you are pregnant and plan to take maternity leave.

What to do if Youre Pregnant (cont) In the last 3 months (and definitely before the last 2 weeks) send a letter to the School Board advising them that : you are pregnant, your estimated due date is ________, you will let the board know your actual return date at least 2 weeks before you intend to return to work. * Attach a doctors note confirming that you are pregnant and when the estimated date of birth is.

After the Baby is Born If you return from a maternity leave of 15 weeks: Teachers shall be returned to the position held at the commencement of the leave (Clause ) If there are any changes at your school, you have no advantage or disadvantage.

After the Baby is Born (cont) You can also access parenting leave: usually teachers ask for both maternity and parenting leave in the same letter - up to 37 weeks - must be completed within 52 weeks of babys birth - arrange terms of leave with board (Clause 11.2) - continue benefits at teachers cost – forms to complete - remember to add baby to benefits plan

After Parental Leave Returning from parenting leave: Advise school board in writing when you will return, Provide minimum of two weeks notice Ask for your previous teaching position back (not guaranteed – but no worse treatment – Clause ).

Adoption Leave Can access up to 12 months. Teacher shall provide notification to the superintendent 6 weeks before first day of leave (Clause ). What happens if you cant? EI for 37 weeks.

ATA Recommendations Birth mothers: –Provide up to six weeks written notice to start maternity leave on the actual date of delivery. –May provide a prospective date of return up to one year from date of delivery. –If prospective date of return is not provided in advance, provide a letter no later than nine weeks after the birth notifying of intent to take parental leave. –Provide another letter at least four weeks prior to actual date of return. –Actual date of return may be different from prospective date as long as notice is provided at least four weeks before the prospective or actual date, whichever is earlier.

Fathers and Adoptive Parents –Provide at least six weeks written notice of intent to take parental leave (unless circumstances relating to the adoptive parent prevent such notice). –May provide a prospective date of return. –Provide written notice of actual date of return at least 4 weeks before the prospective or actual date of return, whichever is earlier.

High Risk Pregnancies If you are required to stop working well before the birth due to complications: –access sick leave until the 90 day entitlement is used up; –apply for extended disability benefits (EDB) after the first month of absence; –start EI following the birth; –EDB will pay beyond your 90 days until your recovery.

Benefits The board pays benefits during the health-related leave. Teacher must pay for benefits during unpaid leave; –ATA recommendation to continue with benefits, –key benefit is disability insurance, not available from spouse.

ASEBP Four options: 1.Keep all benefits; Recommended. 2. Keep only Disability, Life and AD&D; Ok if spouse has benefits, you are covered, and spouse will not lose them. 3. Keep only Life and AD&D; Not recommended (only paid upon death). 4.Drop all benefits; Not recommended.

Pension While on salary/SUB plan: –Contributions are made and service accrued the same as teaching Unpaid leave: –Teacher may purchase service AFTER returning to work; –Cost is based on current salary, age and serviceso it increases over time; A teacher under 30 with five years of service pays less to buy pension than contributes ($5400 vs $6260). –You may transfer directly from an RRSP.

Sample Letters

Notice of Pregnancy Date________ Dear _________ This letter is to notify you that I am pregnant and my due date is _____. I would like to start my maternity leave on the actual date of delivery. At this time, my plan is to return to teaching (date) _____, but I will confirm this decision in writing at least 4 weeks prior to my return. Or I will return to work on ________. Signed, The Teacher (Include a doctors note with letter #1 confirming pregnancy and expected delivery date)

Doctors Pre-Delivery Note No 2 (When you must stop working prior to the birth) Date_________________ To Whom It May Concern Re (teachers name) I wish to advise that ______________________ is unable to work for medical reasons effective ___(date)______. Signed Dr _____________________

Doctors Post-Partum Note No 3 Date _____________ To Whom It May Concern Re (teachers name) I wish to advise that I treated Ms __________ during her recent pregnancy. Ms _________ gave birth on _________. Ms ________ was unable to perform her teaching duties from ______ until ______ due to medical condition and/or medical reason which arose in connection with her pregnancy. Signed Dr _____________

Parental Leave (Without accessing maternity leave) Date ______ Dear ______ This letter is to notify you that I will be accessing parental leave starting (date)_____. My child was born/will be placed (date) _____. At this time, my plan is to return to teaching (date)______, but I will confirm this decision in writing at least four weeks prior to that date. Signed the teacher

Summary Leave starts on the actual date of delivery; –Prior to that, access sick leave. Full salary continues during the health related portion; An extension beyond 12 months may be available; Check with Human Resources regarding any other requirements ATA recommends you continue with benefit plans during unpaid leave; –Even though you are required to pay the full amount. Continue ATA membership ($8 month); –Ensures representation if you need assistance.

For further information contact: Susan Karpisek at Human Resources and Labour Relations at Central Office at and Catherine Moir or a Staff Officer in Teacher Welfare at the ATA at