Applying for Maternity Leave

You should apply for a leave of absence from your department in writing, notifying them of the dates you expect to leave and return to work. Your department will then notify Financial Services that you are going on leave.

You are entitled to up to 17 weeks of maternity leave and up to 35 weeks of parental leave. If you are also taking parental leave after your maternity leave, you should apply for this leave at the same time.

Maternity and parental leave is unpaid.

To coincide with EI weeks and avoid any possible loss of EI benefits:

• Staff: you should begin either type of leave on a Monday and end it on a Friday (return from the leave on a Monday).
• Faculty: you should begin either type of leave on a Sunday and end it on a Saturday (return from the leave on a Sunday).

Accumulated vacation days can be used in conjunction with your maternity leave, but not during the period when you are receiving maternity benefits. That is, you can take accumulated vacation either before or after your leave period.

Employment Insurance (EI)

You should apply for Employment Insurance (EI) Maternity/Parental Benefits from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada as soon as you receive your Record of Employment (ROE) from Financial Services. (Ensure that Financial Services has your current home address since they will mail the ROE after your last paycheque has been generated.)

Your ROE can also be picked up in person, either by making an appointment with your Financial Services Representative, or by proxy if they have a signed letter authorizing them to do so.

Details on applying for Employment Insurance Maternity/Parental Benefits can be found at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.