In the February 2018 issue of Benefits FYI, we explained how Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and UBC’s Supplemental Employment Benefits top-up would work as a result of the federal government changes to EI benefits for maternity and parental leaves that came into effect on December 3, 2017.
On May 17, 2018, amendments to the BC Employment Standards Act came into effect. These changes bring the maternity, parental, and compassionate care leave provisions in line with the federal government changes.
Details of the changes are summarized in the following table:
| Type of Leave | Old Provision | New Provision |
| Maternity | Maternity leave could begin up to 11 weeks before the child’s expected birth date. | Maternity leave may begin up to 13 weeks before the child’s expected birth date. |
| Parental – Birth Mothers | Birth mothers could take up to 35 weeks of parental leave. | Birth mothers may take up to 61 consecutive weeks of unpaid leave, which must begin immediately following maternity leave. |
| Parental – Birth Fathers | Birth fathers could take up to 37 weeks of parental leave within a 52-week period. | Birth fathers may take up to 62 consecutive weeks of unpaid leave, which must begin within 78 weeks (18 months) after the birth of the child. |
| Parental – Adopting Parents | Adopting parents could take up to 37 weeks of parental leave within a 52-week period. | Adopting parents may take up to 62 consecutive weeks of unpaid leave, which must begin within 78 weeks (18 months) |
| Compassionate Care | An employee could take up to eight weeks of unpaid compassionate care leave within a 26-week period. | An employee may take up to 27 weeks of unpaid compassionate care leave within a 52-week period. |
For more information, please visit:
Posted in Articles
Tagged
- HR
- Benefits FYI