All OCETF members should avail
themselves of the material within the OCETF Maternity Leave
Package. The issues surrounding pregnancy are very individualized
and it is extremely important that members are aware of their
rights and entitlements in order to make their best choices.
Decisions on when to begin a pregnancy leave, whether or not to use
sick leave, options surrounding pension contributions for the leave
period, maintaining LTD coverage, and extending the leave should be
taken in consultation with the CBC Chair.
Teachers may access sick leave prior to a pregnancy leave with a
medical practitioner's note. Once the baby is born, the
pregnancy leave begins with the caveat that a teacher may choose to
use up to 6 weeks of sick leave at the birth of the child. If
a teacher uses sick leave at the baby's birth and does not waive
the EI waiting period, then that teacher would begin the 7th and
8th week with the top-up under article 24.01. The regular schedule
of week 9 under the collective agreement SEB Plan would then
begin.
The SEB Plan under article 24 is a benefit under the Collective
Agreement which provides top-up during the 2-week employment
insurance (EI) waiting period. The SEB plan also provides a
top-up to EI benefits during the leave period.
Teachers should contact the pension board at 1-800-668-0105.
If a teacher waives the right to contribute to their pension during
their leave, the amount of pension will be less than it would be
with additional credited service. Less credit means a lower
pension. It may also postpone the date at which a teacher can
retire with an unreduced pension. Options to pay into the
pension during a pregnancy/parental/adoptive leave including a
payment schedule with the school board, loans and/or lines of
credit on the day the pregnancy leave ends and the use of RRSP
money towards pension contributions have all been considered by
OCETF members.
Visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/special.shtml
for the latest information from Human Resources Development Canada
or visit your local E.I. office.
Continuation of benefits is addressed in article 23.03(c) - see
attached. If your maternity leave will extend over January and
February, you should contact the Ontario College of Teachers to
make arrangements to pay your annual fee at 1-888-534-2222.
Teachers returning from pregnancy/parental leave part way through
the school year, should consider that their salary for the balance
of the year will be calculated on a per diem basis for the number
of days remaining in the school year. Example: Number of days in a
school year = 194; date of return is April 1; number of days
remaining in the school year = 64; amount of pay to be received =
64/194 x salary.
Download the complete Maternity Leave
Package
Letter to HR/OCDSB
For a pregnancy leave, you are required to provide a minimum of
2 weeks written notice of the date your leave will begin. The
written notification must include a certificate from a legally
qualified medical practitioner stating the expected date of birth.
This minimum notice does not apply if the birth occurs earlier than
the expected date of birth. In the case of a parental leave, you
must provide at least 2 weeks written notice of the date the leave
is to begin. This does not apply if the child comes into custody,
care and control for the first time sooner than expected.
Download your letter to HR/OCDSB
