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Taking Time Off Maternity You just found out you're pregnant. It's great news-but you're worried about your job.
If you're a working woman and about to become a mother, you could qualify for maternity leave. Maternity leave gives you the legal right to take some time away from work to care for your new baby. And after your leave ends, you have the right to return to your job or a similar job. Your boss can't deny you these rights.
Do I qualify? Whether you qualify depends on how long you've worked for the same employer. This varies across Canada, with no specific service requirement in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Quebec, to 12 months in Alberta, Nova Scotia and the three territories. The law also says how much leave you can take, how soon it can start and how much notice you must give. To find out more, click on the provincial/territorial or federal tab that applies to you. If you're not sure whether your job falls under provincial, territorial or federal law, check out Which law covers you?
If you belong to a union, check your collective agreement. More than 67 per cent of workers have maternity leave clauses in their contracts. Many union contracts provide better maternity leave rights and benefits than the basic minimum rights found in law. For example, 25.4 per cent of unionized women workers are entitled to between 18 to 25 weeks of maternity leave, while 14.4 per cent have the right to 26 weeks or more. More than 47 per cent of unionized women get some pay over and above the maternity benefits provided by employment insurance.
If you qualify for maternity leave, you probably also qualify for additional parental leave to extend your time off work even longer.
Will I get paid? Maternity leave is unpaid, but you might be entitled to maternity benefits. These are provided under Employment Insurance. |
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