Taking leave
This section is intended to provide you with information about some of the common leave types requested by employees throughout their career in the public service. Collective Agreements, various Terms and Conditions of Employment and the Directive on Leave and Special Working Arrangements (links below) provide the full details and provisions of the leave entitlement, as well as many other types of leave not included in this document.
Disclaimer: Changes in your work or life situation
The information on this page applies to departments and agencies served by the Pay Centre. If your department or agency is not served by the Pay Centre, contact your departmental compensation unit.
Please request additional guidance from your manager, departmental human resources and finance, as pay-related information and processes are subject to change.
Services and information
Care of family
Get the information you need before requesting unpaid leave from the public service to care for your family
Compensatory leave
Record and request leave in exchange for overtime worked in the public service, or cash out a balance of unused leave
Statutory holiday pay
As a public servant, your employment terms and conditions and collective agreement determine your holiday pay
Educational leave
Find out about your options before requesting unpaid leave from the public service to pursue your education
Leave without pay because of illness or injury
Learn about long-term disability or disability leave and insurance options if you are a public servant
Leave with income averaging
Spread out your public service salary over twelve months if you wish to take leave without pay for a certain period
Long-term illness or disability
Learn what happens in cases of long or permanent absences from the public service due to illness or disability.
Maternity and parental leave for public servants
As a public servant, you may be eligible to take unpaid leave to care for a newborn or adopted child
Other leave or time off with pay
Find out what other types of leave with pay your terms and conditions of employment and your collective agreement allow
Other types of leave without pay
Find out what other types of leave without pay your terms and conditions of employment and your collective agreement allow
Leave without pay for personal needs
Get information about the conditions you need to meet before requesting unpaid leave from the public service
Pre-retirement transition leave
Reduce your workweek by up to 40% if you are within two years of retirement from the public service
Relocation of spouse
Request unpaid leave from the public service if your spouse or common-law partner must relocate
Sick leave
Earning and using sick leave in the public service, including extended sick leave options
Vacation leave
How the Pay Centre calculates and records vacation leave. About your annual vacation leave options
Leave with income averaging
If you’re interested in a special work arrangement allowing you to take an extended leave without pay while averaging your income over a 12-month period, watch the video: Leave with income averaging (2 minutes)
Transcript: Leave with income averaging
Start of video
[Music plays]
(Text on screen: Public Services and Procurement Canada)
[Shot of Vanessa a client contact centre agent.]
Are you looking to take an extended leave, but don’t want to be without pay during that period? You may be eligible for a special work arrangement known as leave with income averaging.
[A grey circle fades in.]
(Text on screen: Leave with Income Averaging.)
[Image of 3 small calendars with no dates fade onto screen.]
[Animation of a chart showing ups and downs with a line.]
This allows you to take an extended leave between 5 weeks and 3 months without pay while averaging your income over a 12-month period.
[Shot of Vanessa in front of a blue background.]
(Text on screen: Vanessa - Client Contact Centre Agent for Public Services and Procurement Canada.)
This income averaging allows you to continue receiving part of your regular salary during your leave without pay.
Wondering how to apply? My name is Vanessa. I’m an agent at the Client Contact Centre and I’m here to help you. I will guide you through the application process and share some key points to keep in mind when you apply.
[Image of a cell phone and a calendar fades in. A list of dollar signs with placeholder information is added to the phone and at the same time the calendar highlights dates that would represent the date of the placeholder information. The calendar flips months and additional items are added to the list on the cell phone while dates are highlighted on calendar.)
Leave with income averaging allows you to continue receiving your adjusted regular pay while you’re away.
[Shot of Vanessa in front of a blue background.]
(Text on screen: Leave with Income Averaging.)
[An animation of a piece of paper with empty field boxes, the field boxes are all filled one by one. The piece of paper then animates to the other side of the screen and a green circle with a checkmark appears.]
(Text on screen: Pay Action Request Form.)
[An animation of a piece of paper with empty fields, the fields are all filled one by one. An image of a Government of Canada Building appears and the piece of paper then animates into the front door and disappears into the building.]
For departments and agencies serviced by the Public Service Pay Centre, you can apply by completing an application for leave with income averaging, get approval from your manager, have them complete a pay action request (PAR) form and send the completed application to the Pay Centre.
This can be a lengthy process and we understand that you may be uncertain of requesting changes that affect your pay.
[Shot of Vanessa in front of a blue background.]
[An animation of a two-month calendar appears and start and end dates are circled that represent the duration of 6 weeks while just the days Monday to Friday are filled in between the dates.]
That’s why your leave with income averaging application should be sent to the Pay Centre at least 6 weeks before you would like to start your 12-month income averaging period.
[Shot of Vanessa in front of a blue background.]
If your department or agency is not served by the Pay Centre, the Client Contact Centre will refer your enquiry to your departmental compensation unit.
(Text on screen: Canada.)
[An animation of a laptop fades in, the laptop has a turquoise background with a number of empty field boxes. These boxes then fill with grey, when the last one is filled a green circle with a checkmark appears.]
When entered in Phoenix on time, leave with income averaging should be correctly applied to your pay for the 12-month period.
[Shot of Vanessa in front of a blue background.]
To verify if you’re eligible for leave with income averaging, we encourage you to discuss leave options with your manager.
If you have any leave with income averaging enquiries, call us at the Client Contact Centre.
(Text on screen: 1‑855‑686‑4729.)
[Music stops]
(Text on screen: Check us out: facebook.com/PSPC.SPAC, instagram.com/pspc_spac, twitter.com/pspc_spac, youtube.com/PWGSCanada)
(Public Services and Procurement Canada signature)
(Canada Wordmark)
End of video
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