Maternity and parental leaves for pregnant employees
How many weeks of leave am I eligible for as a pregnant employee?
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, pregnant employees are eligible for maximum of 78 weeks of unpaid leave. This includes:
- 17 weeks for a maternity leave and
- 35 weeks for a standard parental leave or 61 weeks for an extended parental leave.
All UBC employees qualify for an additional six consecutive weeks of unpaid maternity leave if you are unable to return to work after the end of the consolidated unpaid leave period for reasons related to the birth or the termination of the pregnancy, as certified by a medical practitioner.
An additional five consecutive weeks of unpaid parental leave will be granted if your child is certified by a medical practitioner to be suffering from a physical, psychological or emotional condition requiring an additional period of parental care.
If you wish to take additional leave beyond what is stipulated under the BC Employment Standards Act, you must request this in writing from your supervisor and any approved additional leave will be considered a general unpaid leave and you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the benefits and pension you choose to maintain.
What benefits am I eligible for during a maternity and parental leave?
Pregnant employees who previously held a one-year appointment and currently hold a one-year appointment may be eligible for paid maternity and parental benefits from UBC (95% of pay for 37 weeks). If your parental leave started prior to August 1, 2023, you may be eligible for 95% of pay for 27 weeks.
If you are eligible for maternity/parental benefits from your grant, you cannot receive benefits from both the grant and UBC. The only exception is if your grant pays less than UBC – for these situations UBC will top-up the paid leave from your grant so that it is equal to the UBC paid leave.
Postdoctoral Fellows (Award Recipients) are ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and Supplemental Employment Benefits.
How and when do I apply for a maternity and parental leave and benefits?
You should apply for a leave of absence from your department by completing the Maternity/Parental/Adoption Leave Application form. Return your form to your department administrator at least eight weeks (suggested) before your leave.
Your department will submit the form to Faculty Relations through Workday who will notify Financial Operations – Payroll that you are going on leave.
If you would like to speak to someone in Payroll about your leave:
Will I still receive my benefits when I’m on maternity leave?
See the section Benefits Coverage while on a Leave for more information.
Parental leave for birth parents
How many weeks of leave am I eligible for as a birth parent?
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, birth parents are eligible for up to 62 weeks of unpaid parental leave.
An additional five consecutive weeks of unpaid parental leave will be granted if your child is certified by a medical practitioner to be suffering from a physical, psychological or emotional condition requiring an additional period of parental care.
If you wish to take additional leave beyond what is stipulated under the BC Employment Standards Act, you must request this in writing from your supervisor and any approved additional leave will be considered a general unpaid leave and you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the benefits and pension you choose to maintain.
What benefits am I eligible for during a parental leave?
Birth parents who previously held a one-year appointment and currently hold a one-year appointment may be eligible for paid parental benefits from UBC (95% of pay for 20 weeks). If your parental leave started prior to August 1, 2023, you may be eligible for 95% of pay for 12 weeks.
If you are eligible for parental benefits from your grant, you cannot receive benefits from both the grant and UBC. The only exception is if your grant pays less than UBC – for these situations UBC will top-up the paid leave from your grant so that it is equal to the UBC paid leave.
Postdoctoral Fellows (Award Recipients) are ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and Supplemental Employment Benefits.
How and when do I apply for a parental leave and benefits?
You should apply for a leave of absence from your department by completing the Maternity/Parental/Adoption Leave Application form. Return your form to your department administrator at least eight weeks (suggested) before your leave.
Your department will submit the form to Faculty Relations through Workday who will notify Financial Operations – Payroll that you are going on leave.
If you would like to speak to someone in Payroll about your leave:
Will I still receive my benefits when I’m on parental leave?
See the section Benefits Coverage while on a Leave for more information.
Parental leave for adopting parents (adoption leave)
How many weeks of leave am I eligible for as an adopting parent?
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, adopting parents are eligible for maximum of 62 weeks of unpaid adoption leave.
An additional five consecutive weeks of unpaid leave will be granted if your child is certified by a medical practitioner to be suffering from a physical, psychological or emotional condition requiring an additional period of parental care.
If you wish to take additional leave beyond what is stipulated under the BC Employment Standards Act, you must request this in writing from your supervisor and any approved additional leave will be considered a general unpaid leave and you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the benefits and pension you choose to maintain.
What benefits am I eligible for during an adoption leave?
Adopting parents who previously held a one-year appointment and currently hold a one-year appointment may be eligible for paid parental benefits from UBC (95% of pay for 20 weeks). If your parental leave started prior to August 1, 2023, you may be eligible for 95% of pay for 12 weeks.
If you are eligible for maternity/parental benefits from your grant, you cannot receive benefits from both the grant and UBC. The only exception is if your grant pays less than UBC – for these situations UBC will top-up the paid leave from your grant so that it is equal to the UBC paid leave.
Postdoctoral Fellows (Award Recipients) are ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and Supplemental Employment Benefits.
How and when do I apply for an adoption leave and benefits?
You should apply for adoption leave from your department by completing the Maternity/Parental/Adoption Leave Application form. Return your form to your department administrator at least eight weeks (suggested) before your leave.
Your department will submit the form to Faculty Relations through Workday who will notify Financial Operations – Payroll that you are going on leave.
If you would like to speak to someone in Payroll about your leave:
Will I still receive my benefits when I’m on adoption leave?
See the section Benefits Coverage while on a Leave for more information.