Maternity Leave Maternity benefits are for the mother only and cannot be shared between the two parents. a) Every Employee who becomes pregnant shall notify the Employer in writing of the pregnancy at least four weeks before the day she intends to commence the leave, and, subject to subsection (b), shall be granted leave of absence without pay for a total period not to exceed seventeen (17) consecutive weeks consisting of two periods as follows: i) a maximum of eleven weeks prior to the expected termination date of the pregnancy; and ii) notwithstanding (i) above, an Employee may elect to use earned vacation and/or compensatory leave credits prior to and subsequent to, use of unpaid maternity leave but total leave shall not exceed 11 weeks prior to and 26 weeks after the termination of pregnancy. b) An Employee who has not commenced maternity leave without pay may elect to use her sick leave credits up to and beyond the date that the pregnancy terminates, subject to the provisions set out in the Sick Leave Article. For purposes of this clause, illness or injury as defined in Article 35 shall include medical disability related to pregnancy. c) At its discretion, the Employer may require an Employee to submit a Medical certificate certifying pregnancy. d) Where an Employee commences maternity leave at a date later than eleven (11) weeks prior to the expected date of termination of the pregnancy, the Employer may request submission of a e) Leave granted under this clause shall be counted for the calculation of “continuous employment” for the purpose of calculating severance pay and vacation leave. Time spent on such leave shall be counted for pay increment purposes. f) An Employee who has requested a leave of absence may return to work before the period is over with the consent of the Employer, or by giving the Employer four (4) weeks of notice in writing of the day of intended return to work. The required notices are to
Paternity Leave 7.4.6(a) An employee will provide to the employer at least ten weeks prior to each proposed period of paternity leave, with: