TERMINOLOGY
Maternity Leave refers to the federally legislative leave
provided to the biological mother at the time of the birth of a child. Maternity
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are payable to the birth mother for a maximum
of 15 weeks.
Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) – aka: maternity “top-up” benefit
refers to the supplemental wage-loss benefit support paid to only teachers and
principals of the CISVA, by the local school as the difference between
the Employment Insurance payable and 75% of gross salary. This benefit is
payable upon the date of birth of the child. This benefit is not paid
during the months of July and August as there is no wage-loss during that time.
Waiting Period refers to the 2 week period before
Employment Insurance benefits begin to be paid. Generally this period is the
first 2 weeks of the EI claim.
If both parents share parental benefits, only one waiting period needs to be
served. If a 2-week waiting period has been served for maternity benefits, the
waiting period for parental benefits will be waived.
While you are waiting to satisfy the EI waiting period, and providing that you
have sufficient sick days banked, you may use up to 10 sick days to cover this 2
week waiting period.
Employment Insurance
Employment Insurance (EI) allows qualified claimants to receive up to 15 weeks
of maternity benefits and 35 weeks of parental benefits at 55% of their
insurable earnings to a maximum of $447/week (2009).
Employment Standards Act
Labour standards legislation provides minimum entitlements for employees on
maternity leave and states that an employee is entitled to an unpaid maternity
leave. While on leave, the individual continues to be in an employee and upon
return to work, the employer is required to reinstate the employee in the prior
position or to an alternate comparable position.
Increments in salary are to be paid to the employee upon return to work as
employees continue to accrue increments on the salary scale grid while on a
maternity leave.
Pension and Benefits
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) also requires that when a member of a pension
plan is required to make member contributions under the plan (as the pension
plan of the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese), the member
who takes a Maternity leave may continue to participate in and accrue benefits
under the pension plan for the duration of the approved leave. Employer
contributions will also continue during this leave, unless the member elects in
writing (please refer to Waiver section found on the Maternity Leave contract)
not to participate in the pension plan for the duration of the approved leave.
Under the Employment Standards Act (ESA), Group Insurance benefits also continue
accordingly.