Pregnancy and Parental Leave of Absence (Including Adoption. (a) Pregnancy and parental leave shall be granted in accordance with the Employment Standards Act.
(b) Maternity or adoption leave may be granted for a period of up to fifty-two (52) weeks, to be taken consecutively before and after the birth of the child. After the period of leave, the nurse shall return to her former position if it still exists, or to a comparable one, if it does not, and shall be paid at the salary she would have earned had she worked throughout the leave.
(c) During the statutory period of leave (Employment Standards Act) for regular full-time nurses, the Employer shall continue to pay the Employer's portion of group life and health benefits. During the non- statutory period group life and health benefits may be continued provided that the employee pays her share of the benefit premium. If the nurse does not return to regular duty after the Leave and does not continue in the employment of the Employer for a period of at least six (6) weeks, the Employer's contribution to such benefits during the non-statutory period shall be reimbursed to the Employer.
(d) Under the Terms of Clause 13.2 of this Agreement, a nurse who has been granted a leave of absence under the terms of this Clause shall notify the Medical Officer of Health or his designee, not less than four (4) weeks prior to the date of expiration of her authorized leave of absence, of her intention to return to work, and the date of her availability to return to work.
