Maternity / Parental Leave

1. Maternity / Parental Leave Things to know and Steps to take

2. Maternity and Parental Leave Frequently asked Questions • I will be going on maternity leave, what do I need to do before I go? • When can I expect my maternity / parental leave package from payroll & benefits? • We just had a baby how do I get my baby added to my benefits? • What is the top-up and how does it work? • When/How do I sign up for the top-up? • When would I receive the top-up? • What if I don’t want to take the top-up? • I was fulltime when I went on maternity leave and I received top-up. Do I need to go back to work fulltime after maternity leave? • Can I take a leave of absence after maternity leave? • What happens if I don’t return from maternity leave and I have received top-up? • REFERENCE PAGE LAST SLIDE

3. I will be going on maternity/parental leave, what do I need to do before I go? • Before you go on maternity / parental leave you should check that your mailing address is correct on MyHR. • You want to be sure to set your out of office in your email. • You may want to edit your status in people finder with your return date.

4. When can I expect my maternity / parental leave package from payroll & benefits? Once your manager has submitted your status change placing you on maternity / parental leave, then payroll and benefits will mail out the maternity/parental leave package to your address on file. This package includes the top-up application as well as the next steps on how to add your baby onto your benefit coverage.

5. We just had a baby how do I get my baby added to my benefits? • Notify payroll & benefits: - send a service request using the service request tool. The service request tool is located on Insite > employee essentials > HR Tools > HR Service request tool. > 604 – 877 - 6599 2. There are two things to think about basic medical (MSP – medical services plan) and extended health & dental (PBC – Pacific Blue Cross). a) For MSP (Medical Services Plan): You will need to complete the MSP change form and forward this change form to payroll and benefits. b) For PBC (Pacific Blue Cross): You will need to complete the PBC change form and attach a copy of your baby’s birth certificate, forward form to payroll and benefits.

6. What is the top-up and how does it work? • Permanent employees who have been actively employed with Vancity for a minimum 6 months and are receiving the EI maternity / parental benefit. • The maternity/parental top up is a voluntary program for permanent employees of Vancity. The top-up is 85% of your salary less what you receive from EI ( Service Canada). • If you chose to take the maternity/parental top-up then you must return to Vancity immediately following your maternity / parental leave for the same length of time (based on hours) that you received the top-up. • FOR EXAMPLE: • Fulltime employees are paid top up based on 1820 hours (35 hours a week x 52 weeks). • Therefore they are required to come back for 1820 hours to satisfy the top-up.

7. When/How do I sign up for the top-up? Once you have received your maternity/parental EI approval from Service Canada you can apply for the top-up. The top-up application is included in the maternity leave package that is sent to you from Payroll & Benefits.

8. When would I receive the top-up? • Once the application has been received by payroll & benefits with the supporting documentation the top up is processed retroactively to the beginning of your maternity leave. • The top-up payment coincides with the Vancity payday schedule For full details of the maternity top –up please refer to the Maternity / Parental Leave policy and procedures.

9. What if I don’t want to take the top-up? You do not need to take the top-up as this is a voluntary program. If you choose not to take the top-up then you will need to contact payroll & benefits to make arrangements to pay for your benefits during your leave. Also do not forget that you will need to keep in contact with payroll & benefits to ensure that your baby is added to your benefits .

10. I was fulltime when I went on maternity leave and I received top-up. Do I need to go back to work fulltime after maternity leave? No, you are not required to return fulltime after your maternity leave. If you go on maternity leave as full time and return from maternity leave as part time then it will take you longer to fulfill the top-up repayment. FOR EXAMPLE: • Fulltime employees are paid top up based on 1820 hours (35 hours a week x 52 weeks). • Therefore they are required to come back for 1820 hours to satisfy the top-up. • If you return part time then it will take you a little longer than 1 year to repay the top- up.

11. Can I take a leave of absence after maternity leave? ***This must be agreed and approved by your Manager*** Maternity / Parental leave policy states: You may take unpaid vacation time off equal to your normal annual entitlement less the prorated time off. If you take a leave of absence longer than your vacation entitlement then you will be expected to repay the *gross top-up received. *Gross top-up is the payment paid before deductions ( taxes and benefits) If you are intending to take an unpaid leave of absence for longer than 1 month after your maternity leave than it is not advisable that you receive the top-up.

12. What happens if I do not return from maternity leave and I have received top-up If you do not return after your maternity / parental leave then you will be expected to repay the *gross top-up amount. *Gross top-up is the payment paid before deductions ( taxes and benefits) ***Please refer to the top-up application located on Insite***

13. References • Maternity / Parental leave of absence policy and procedure in Insite • HR Service Request tool located in Insite: > employee essentials > HR Tools > HR Service Request Tool • Service Canada : Employment Insurance Maternity and Parental Leave frequently asked questions http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/maternity_parental.shtml • Vancity Payroll & Benefits @ 604 – 877 - 6599