How to plan for maternity and parental leave
This video offers a summary of the process for federal employees getting ready for maternity and parental leave. The information provided in this video is general and intended for informational purposes only. Processes may be different if your department or agency is serviced by the Public Service Pay Centre or has its own compensation team. You’re encouraged to always verify the internal procedures of your department or agency. The rules and regulations of collective agreements as well as terms and conditions of employment will supersede the content of this video.
How to plan for maternity and parental leave—Transcript
Start of video
[Music plays]
(Text on screen: Public Services and Procurement Canada)
[HCM/PSPC opening animation.]
[Shot of a cartoon office building, on the front of the building is a sign that says “Planning for Maternity and Parental Leave”, there is a blue sky behind and trees to the side.]
(Text on screen: Planning for Maternity and Parental Leave)
[An animated scene of a cartoon woman talking in an office space, in the background there are three employees working on their laptops in different areas.]
Congratulations! You're expecting a little one and planning for maternity or parental leave.
Here's a timeline to guide you through the process.
[Animated graphic of a timeline, a line is drawn across the middle of the screen. A white dot appears at the start of the line with several pieces of paper and a question mark, below it says, “Step 1, Gather information”, A second white dot appears a little down the line with more paper and a pencil along with an envelope and exclamation point, below it says, “Step 2, Send forms to compensation”. In the middle of the line another white dot appears with the letters LWOP, below it says, “Step 3, Leaving on LWOP / contact EI / QPIP, ROE”. Another white dot appears just a little down the line with an image of a baby, below the text says “Step 4, Baby’s arrival!”. The last white dot appears with the text words return to work, below it says, “Step 5, Prepare to return for work”.]
(Text on screen: Timeline. Step 1, Gather information, Step 2, Send forms to compensation, Step 3, leave on LWOP / contact EI / QPIP, ROE, Step 4, baby’s arrival!, Step 5, Prepare to return for work.)
[A clipboard with uncheck boxes and lines appear against a blue background with text below “Checking your Entitlements and Benefits”.]
(Text on screen: Checking your entitlements and benefits.)
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
First things first, when you find out you're expecting, it's time to plan your leave.
[An image from Canada.ca web site “Collective agreements for the public service” fills the screen.]
Check your union agreement for specific details on your upcoming leave as well as maternity and or parental allowances, also referred to as top-ups that you may be entitled.
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
(Text on screen: It is the province of residence that determines which governmental entity will administer your benefits.)
It is important to know that your province of residence determines which governmental entity will administer your benefits.
[An image from the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan website fills the screen partially.]
[An image from Canada.ca “EI maternity and parental benefits” fills the screen partially.]
Residents of Quebec should contact the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan while residents of all other provinces should contact Employment Insurance.
[A light blue bank of windows appears with a darker blue circle that fills most of the screen. On the circle is a green box outlined in red with a giant red checkmark that fills the box and spills out of it, with text below “Completing the leave form”.]
(Text on screen: Completing the leave form.]
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
[An image from the page “Maternity or Parental Leave Application” fills the screen partially.]
[An image from the page “Maternity or Parental Leave Frequently Asked Questions” fills the screen partially.]
At least two months before your leave begins, it's crucial to fill out the leave form. The section "Frequently Asked Questions" on page 3 and 4 of the form outlines what you need to do. How to fill out the form correctly and a lot more information to help you navigate this process, we encourage you to have a look for yourself!
[An image of the signature section of the Parental or Maternity Leave Application form partially fills the screen. Red arrows indicate the Employee Signature, Supervisor Signature and Approved by Authorized Officer sections (section 34).]
After you, your supervisor and your manager signed the form it will need to be sent to the Pay Centre or to your compensation team if your department is not serviced by the Pay Centre.
[A light blue bank of windows appears with a darker blue square that has a cartoon baby on it, with text below “Ready to leave”.]
(Text on screen: Ready to leave!)
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
[An image of the Record of employment page on the Service Canada web page fills the screen partially. A red arrow indicates the “Sign in or register My Service Canada Account” section.]
Your Record of Employment will be issued by the pay system and send automatically to Service Canada. It should be issued and sent to Service Canada within 5 working days following your last pay. You can review the status of your Record of Employment by registering to "My Service Canada Account".
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
[A graphic of part of a calendar appears to her right with the word “Payday” written in red on the 15th and circled in red”.]
(Text on screen: Payday.)
Your partial final pay will be on the regular scheduled pay day, and you will have access to your paystubs by visiting MyGCPay.
[An image of the MyGCPay web page fills the screen partially.]
[A light blue background appears, in front is a laptop open and on the screen is a table laptop and coffee mug on it, with text below “Preparing for Your Return”.]
(Text on screen: Preparing for your return.)
[The same cartoon woman speaks again in the same office, with the three employees behind.]
Preparing for your return to work is essential.
[Graphic of a calendar appears with the day of the week and numbers 1 to 30. The 20th is circled in red.]
(Text on screen: Calendar.)
[A cartoon man steps into the picture representing the manager, he waves then leaves.)
That's why around 6 weeks prior to your scheduled return to work, you should contact your manager to discuss your return date and any adjustments needed.
[Icons appear around the cartoon women, an ID badge, laptop, desk and a cell phone, then disappear.]
This will ensure your IT services and other logistical arrangements are squared away before your return.
[An image of the Client Contact Center (CCC) contact information web page fills the screen partially.]
Remember, your employer and the Client Contact Centre are here to support you every step of the way.
[A cartoon baby playing with a toy appears on a green background on a yellow circle.]
(Text on screen: For more information, Client Contact Centre 1-855-686-4729.)
Congratulations again, and best wishes for this exciting time in your life!
[Text bubble appears on screen.]
(Text on screen: This video provides general information and may not apply if your department is serviced by the Pay Centre or has its own compensation team. Always check your department’s internal procedures, as official rules and agreements take precedence over this video’s content.)
This video provides general information and may not apply if your department is serviced by the Pay Centre or has its own compensation team. Always check your department’s internal procedures, as official rules and agreements take precedence over this video’s content.
(Text on screen: Check us out, Facebook, /GCEmployeePayBenefits – Web, Client Contact Centre – Canada.ca)
(Text on screen: ISBN 978-0-660-73335-7, Catalogue P4-149/2024E-MP4)
(Music stops)
(Public Services and Procurement Canada signature)
(Canada Wordmark)
End of video
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