Having a child can be one of the most awe-inspiring, happy times of your life. Once you've shared the news with your family and friends, what comes next? What are your options when it comes to work?

Maternity benefits and parental benefits often vary between states/provinces in most countries. In Canada, the benefits are relatively uniform due to the fact that the Canadian government mandates both the leave and the benefits component, with benefits being administered by provincial employment insurance plans.

If you are wanting to start a family, this overview will give you a good idea of what you can expect in terms of maternity and parental leave in Canada:

What is Maternity Leave? 

Maternity leave is the period of time that new mothers are entitled to take off, without pay, with a guarantee that they can return to the same or equivalent job. The length varies from province to province and depends on employment history and hours worked.

How Long can I be on Maternity Leave?

If you are a female employee you are entitled to up to 17 weeks of maternity leave if you have completed six consecutive months of continuous employment with the same employer before the leave begins.

You can take this leave any time during the period that begins 11 weeks before the expected date of delivery, and ends 17 weeks after the actual delivery date.

Is Maternity Leave Mandatory?

If you are pregnant and you decide that you do NOT want to take maternity leave, your employer can't force you to take the leave before the baby is born. UNLESS it can be shown that you are unable to perform essential functions of your job.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are being discriminated against because of your pregnancy, contact your local Human Rights Commission.

What is Parental Leave?

Parental leave is available to both natural and adoptive parents. Recipients are eligible for up to 37 weeks of parental leave under the same conditions as those for maternity leave. The parents can share the leave however they choose, so long as no more than 37 weeks is taken.

You can take this leave at any time during the 52 week period, starting the day your child is born/comes into your care.

Is Parental Leave Paid?

Payment is dependant on your eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI). To qualify for EI benefits, you need to have worked at least 600 hours over the 52 weeks prior to making your claim.

If eligible for the program, the benefits you will be paid will equal 55% of your average weekly insurable wage, up to a max of $524/week (as of January 1, 2015).

Can I combine Parental and Maternity?

The short answer is yes!

How do Benefits Work?

Benefits refer to the money parents receive from Employment Insurance (EI), or from the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) in Quebec.

Services Canada states that a maximum of 35 weeks of parental benefits are available to biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents. The two parents can share these 35 weeks of benefits.

In order to be eligible to receive either maternity or parental benefits Service Canada determines that you:

• Must be employed in insurable employment;
• You meet the specific criteria for receiving EI maternity or parental benefits (for maternity - payable only to the biological mother who is unable to work due to pregnancy/childbirth, and parental - payable only to the biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents while they are caring for the newborn or recently adopted child).
• Your normal weekly earnings are reduced by more than 40% due to your leave; and
• You have worked for at least 600 hours with an insurable employer during the qualifying period.

What about QPIP?

If you live in the province of Quebec, you will be eligible for the Quebec Parental Insurance Program (QPIP). Under QPIP, you can receive maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits.

 If you are returning to work after having a baby and looking for flexible employment or if you are an employer who has a staff member going on maternity or parental leave contact us today and find out how TPD can help!