I Need to Ask My Boss for Military Leave!
The day has arrived! As a reservist, you need to ask your civilian employer for time off because of an upcoming military course, training activity or deployment. Here are six tips that can help reservists as they ask for military leave.
#1 – Double-Check Your Organization’s Military Leave Policy (MLP)
There may be an MLP in your employer’s human-resources policies or union’s collective agreement. If so, read it to follow the appropriate procedure. If there is no MLP, treat this as a request for unpaid leave.
#2 – Provide as Much Advance Warning as Possible
Avoid surprises. If there’s a good chance you’ll be on a course, exercise or deployment, let your employer know as soon as possible—even before a formal course or task nomination—so they can plan accordingly. Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid short-notice scenarios (e.g., rapid deployment, last-minute spot on a course) but this shouldn’t be the norm. Ideally, you’ll give more than a month’s notice for this type of request.
#3 – Provide Details in Writing
It’s not a bad idea to provide a verbal heads-up to your supervisor, but you should also put your request in writing to ensure clarity. Correspondence templates are available here. Your request should include the expected start and end dates of the leave, the reason for the leave and details required by your organization’s military-leave policy. In your request, explain how this opportunity can help develop skills that will benefit your civilian work. You may also need a letter from your Commanding Officer to support your leave request.
#4 – Set Your Employer Up for Success
Do what you can to minimize the impact of your absence on your employer. Develop a transition plan or hand-over document, or offer to train the person taking over your responsibilities so work can continue while you’re away. Finish strong and complete all your tasks.
#5 – For Leaves of 30+ Days, Mention the Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program (CERP)
If you’re requesting 30 days or more of military leave due to an operation or military skills training, your civilian employer may be eligible for the CERP. Compensation is meant to off-set some of the costs tied to your absence (e.g., overtime, backfill). CERP is also open to self-employed reservists, but not federal-government organizations. Ask your Unit Employer Support Representative for details.
#6 – If Your Request for Leave Is Denied, Ask for Help
Employers usually try to accommodate reasonable requests and, most of the time, reservists are able to obtain military leave. If your request is denied, help is available. Talk to your Unit Employer Support Representative or chain-of-command, and fill out this form to connect with Employer Support Programmes and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.
#7 – Take the Time to Thank Your Employer
After you return to the office, be sure to appropriately thank your employer for their support. You or your chain-of-command can send a letter of appreciation. The “thank you” can also be more elaborate, if you nominate your employer through the Canadian Armed Forces Employer Support Recognition Program.
Spring 2023
Page details
- Date modified: