HR Policies & Employment Legislation
Leaves of Absence
In general, employees are entitled to leaves of absence for the following reasons: pregnancy, parental and adoption responsibilities, illness, family emergency, bereavement, to serve on a jury or as a witness, and to vote. Leaves can be with pay or without pay.
Leave policies and practices must comply with the minimum standards required by law, which vary by province and territory.
Leave policies and practices may exceed minimum standards. To serve your organization's values or goals and to meet your employees' needs, your policy can offer longer leaves than the law requires. Your policy can stipulate that employees will be paid while they are on leave when the law does not say you must. You may also introduce leaves for reasons not covered in the law - for example, educational leave to can be a good way to encourage employee development can offer longer leaves than the law requires. Or, your policy can stipulate that employees will be paid while they are on leave. Your policies will be shaped by your organization's goals, employees' needs and your budget.
In this Section:
Parental Leave
Below are links (where available) to information on provincial and territorial websites that deal specifically with maternity, parental and adoption leave. For information about Employment Insurance (EI) and maternity and parental benefits, click here.
Alberta
Information about Maternity and Parental leave in Alberta.
British Columbia
There is an Employment Standards Fact Sheet on leaves that includes information about pregnancy and parental leave.
Manitoba
New Brunswick
There are two separate fact sheets for New Brunswick:
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Frequently Asked Questions section covers Pregnancy Leave, Parental Leave and Adoption Leave.
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
An information sheet on leaves of absence covers information about pregnancy and parental leave.
Nunavut
The website contains very little specific information, but it does have the contact information for the Department of Justice.
Ontario
Fact sheet on pregnancy and parental leave.
Prince Edward Island
The section on special leave has information about maternity/parental/adoption leave.
Québec
The section on absences and leaves for family or parental matters contains information about maternity and parental leave.
Saskatchewan
Pregnancy and Parenting in the Workplace is a handbook with practical information.
Yukon
The Labour Services website has a section on Maternity and Parental Leave.
Leaves for Jury or Witness Duty
Below are links to provincial and territorial information (where available) about leaves for jury and witness duty.
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
New Northwest Territories Employment Standards Act
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Contact information for the Department of Justice
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
www.gov.pe.ca/courts/sherriff/index.php3
Québec
www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/generale/jure-a.htm#Employer
Saskatchewan
