In addition to annual leave programs, the University offers special leave programs for workers (excluding part-time workers) who find themselves unable to work due to special circumstances. A range of special leave programs are available, including the following for childbirth, childcare, nursing care, and family care.
1. When a spouse gives birth
Subject to the approval of the University, male workers can take time off when their spouses give birth (including common-law marriages; this definition of “spouse” is used throughout this section). Workers can take special leave for a period of up to two days starting the day the spouse is admitted to the hospital for childbirth and ending two weeks and one day after the delivery*.
2. When male workers need to care for children while a spouse gives birth
Subject to the approval of the University, male workers with a pregnant spouse can take up to five days of leave time starting 8 weeks (14 weeks for multiple pregnancies) before the due date and ending 8 weeks after the delivery date to care for the newborn child or other children who have not yet entered elementary school (including children of the spouse)*.
3. When a worker needs to care for an infant less than one year of age
Subject to the approval of the University, workers who need to care for an infant less than one year of age can take up to 30 minutes of leave time twice a day.
4. When a worker needs to provide nursing care for a child
Subject to the approval of the University, workers needing to provide nursing care (i.e., caring for an injury or illness or having a child vaccinated or examined to prevent illness) for a child (including the child of a spouse) who has not yet entered elementary school can take up to 5 days in leave time (for one child) or 10 days in leave time (for two or more children)*.
5. When a worker needs to provide nursing care for a family member
Workers needing to provide nursing care for a family member can take up to 5 days each year in leave time (for one family member) or 10 days each year in leave time (for two more or more family members) so that they can accompany the family member(s) to treatment at a hospital or otherwise provide needed care.
Procedure
Staff members wishing to take advantage of any of the above special leave programs should submit the appropriate form to the duty supervisor in their organization for approval.
Special leave under programs 1, 2, 4, and 5 can be taken in either one-hour or one-day blocks.
Part-time staff can also take unpaid leave under the same terms for the following reasons and timeframes:
1. When a part-time worker needs to care for an infant less than one year of age
Subject to the approval of the University, part-time workers who need to care for an infant less than one year of age can take up to 30 minutes of leave time twice a day.
2. When a part-time worker needs to provide nursing care for a child
Subject to the approval of the University, part-time workers needing to provide nursing care (i.e., caring for an injury or illness or having a child vaccinated or examined to prevent illness) for a child (including the child of a spouse) who has not yet entered elementary school can take up to 5 days in leave time (for one child) or 10 days in leave time (for two or more children)*.
3. When a part-time worker needs to provide nursing care for a family member
Part-time workers needing to provide nursing care for a family member can take up to 5 days each year in leave time (for one family member) or 10 days each year in leave time (for two more or more family members) so that they can accompany the family member(s) to treatment at a hospital or otherwise provide needed care.
Procedure
Part-time staff members wishing to take advantage of any of the above special leave programs should fill in the Leave (Paid/Unpaid Leave) form and submit it to the duty supervisor in their organization.
Special leave under programs 2 and 3 can be taken in either one-hour or one-day blocks.