Pregnancy &

Parental Leave,

the PAR-BC

Perspective

Professional Association of Residents of British Columbia

April 16th, 2014

In Your Collective

AgreementMaternity Leave

o MOU: Supplement Employment Benefits Plan (SEB)

o MOU: Workload During Pregnancy

Parental Leave

Adoption Leave

Maternity Leave

52 consecutive weeks

Earliest Start: 11 weeks before predicted delivery.

No later than actual birth date.

After 52 weeks: 5 additional weeks,

without pay, under special circumstances

with medical practitioner certification.

Maternity Benefits

“Maternity Leave”• 2 weeks waiting period – 85% of

salary• Additional 15 weeks - 85% of pay

(EI + top up)• Full Health Benefits

“Parental Leave”• Up to week 52• Full Health Benefits • EI Benefitso Eligibility of EI hours =

600 hours in the last 52 weeks

Ensure to register your new born with Vancouver Coastal Health for Health Benefits, and set up MSP!

Maternity Benefits

“Supplement Employment Benefits Plan” (SEB)

• Provided by the Employer• 2 weeks at 85% of salary• 15 weekly payments, equivalent to:

o the difference between EI gross benefits and,o any other earnings received and,o 85% of normal weekly earnings

• Total of 17 weeks at 85% of salary

EI Benefit January 2014: • Maximum of $514 per

weekhttp://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/application/employmentinsurance.shtm

Maternity BenefitsWhat if I don’t qualify for EI?

• The SEB Plan provides residents who do not have the sufficient number of work hours for EI (only for the weeks

1-17).

What if I am on sick leave?• Residents cannot receive SEB Plan benefits

and Employer paid sick leave benefits at the same time

• Sick leave can be taken prior to maternity leave, or subsequent to, with valid health-

related conditions.

What if my residency term ends?• SEB Plan benefits will continue even after the

conclusion of a term of appointment.

Maternity Benefits

What about my vacation days?

• Your vacation entitlement will be prorated using the below formula: Days Paid to June 30th inclusive X Yearly Vacation Entitlement

261

What if I want to work during my maternity

leave?

• If you work while on maternity benefits, your earnings will be deducted dollar for dollar from your benefits.

• If you work while on parental benefits, the new “Working while on Claim” pilot project allows you to keep $0.50 of your EI benefits for every dollar, up to 90% of your weekly insurable earnings.

Workload During

Pregnancy

Your health and the health of your baby is of the utmost

importance!

Consult early with your family doctor, and your

program director with your workload expectations and ensure to regularly review these in the course of your

pregnancy.

CONTACT PAR-BC if you have ANY difficulties obtaining modifications to

your work schedule

UBC Policy for Workload

During Pregnancy

After 24 weeks of gestation, expecting residents will not be required to work more that 12 continuous hours, as prolonged

working hours have been associated with increased risks of pregnancy complications such as hypertension, IUGR, and preterm

labour.

Additional tips and resources in:• Mothers and Motherhood

(PHP)• PAR-BC Parenting guide• EI Maternity and Parental

Benefits

Rest!• Visit a Registered Massage

Therapist • Sleep when you’re sleepy!

Nutrition• Take prenatal

vitamins• Eat regular

meals of normal proportions for yourself

Prenatal Yoga• alleviates back

pain• prepares you for

delivery

Natural Father

“Leave to attend birth”• 2 day paid leave

From your Employer:“Parental Leave”• Up to 37 consecutive

weeks of unpaid leave• Full Health Benefits

From Service Canada (EI):“Parental Leave”• Maximum 35 consecutive weeks of benefits• Eligibility of EI hours = 600 hours in the last

52 weeks

*Note: If both parents taking the leave, 35 weeks have to be shared

Adoptive Parents

From your Employer:• Up to 37 consecutive weeks

of unpaid leave• Full Health Benefits• Beginning within 52 weeks

after child is placed with parents

From Service Canada (EI):“Parental Leave”• Maximum 35 consecutive weeks of benefits• Eligibility of EI hours = 600 hours in the last 52

weeks

Can we be on leave at the same time? • Yes, while birth mothers are

receiving maternity benefits, and the other parent can receive parental benefits at the same time. Parental benefits are shared.

Parental Leave Benefits: You and Your

partner

How does “sharing” Parental benefits work?• There is a maximum of 35 consecutive weeks of

benefits; these can be split between the 2 parents, you must indicate this on your application.• i.e. one parent can take 10 weeks and the other

25 weeks

• The 2 week waiting period only needs to be completed by one parent.

• When applying for EI benefits make sure to quote the claim number.

EI benefits are taxable• Federal and provincial taxes will be deducted from

your payment

Returning to Work

• You are entitled to your consecutive weeks of leave (up to 52 weeks for natural mothers, 37 for all others).

• Ensure to have discussed your date of return with your program ahead of time to arrange for a smooth transition back to work.

• Don’t forget to confirm with your program and Vancouver Coastal Health to update your leave status to ensure that Payroll is aware of your returned status!

Questions?• Contact PAR-BC Office

o 604-876-7636

• Visit PAR-BC websiteo www.par-bc.org