Length of Leave Birth Mother A pregnant employee shall be entitled to up to seventeen (17) consecutive weeks of maternity leave and up to thirty-five (35) consecutive weeks of parental leave, all without pay. The parental leave must immediately follow the maternity leave. In the event the birth mother dies or is totally disabled, an employee who is the father of the child shall be entitled to both maternity and parental leave without pay.
Purpose of Leave Unpaid leave may be granted for any of the following reasons:
Accrual of Leave (a) An employee’s entitlement to paid recreation leave accrues progressively during a year of service according to the employee’s ordinary hours of work.
Commencement of Leave Parental leave must commence no later than the first anniversary date of the birth or adoption of the child or of the date on which the child comes into the actual care and custody of the employee. The employee will decide when his or her parental leave is to commence.
Duration of Leave An eligible female employee may apply for pregnancy leave, to commence after the 22nd week of pregnancy for a duration of up to 17 weeks. The pregnancy leave of an employee who is not entitled to take parental leave ends on the later of the day that is seventeen weeks after the pregnancy leave began or the day that is six weeks after the birth, still-birth or miscarriage.
Abuse of Leave If it is found that a leave is not actually being used for the purpose for which it was granted, the Employer may cancel the leave and direct the employee to report for work by giving written notice to the employee.