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Ending parental leave

Last updated on October 17, 2025

Learn about returning to work, or choosing not to, after your leave ends.

Entitlements upon return to work

Regular Bargaining Unit employees returning to work:

  • Retain seniority
  • Receive credit for seniority accumulated during the leave period

Auxiliary Bargaining Unit employees retain seniority and may be credited for the hours they would have worked during the leave period.

Choosing not to return to work

At least one month before the end of your leave, inform your supervisor in writing, if you are resigning and not returning to work.

The date following the conclusion of your leave will be deemed your date of resignation unless another date of resignation is provided.

If you do not immediately return to work at the end of your leave or meet the time period requirements, you'll be responsible for repaying: 

  • Benefit premiums (both employee and employer portions) for the period of the leave taken prior to April 1, 2022 including:
    • Employee Basic Life Insurance
    • Long-term disability (LTD)
  • Applicable flexible benefits credits received for waived extended health and dental coverage for the duration of the leave and any flexible benefits credits received for life insurance coverage for the period of the leave prior to April 1, 2022
  • Any allowances you received, or on a pro-rated basis if you returned for a period of time

Confirm your return-to-work time period requirements:

Employee Basic Life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) coverage are mandatory when you take maternity and/or parental leave. You cannot opt out of coverage. These benefits are maintained throughout the leave, even if you choose to waive extended health and dental coverage.

If you're re-employed at a later date, you'll still be responsible for repaying benefit premiums (prior to April 1, 2022) and allowances as above.

Once you notify your employer that you're resigning, payroll will calculate your allowance and/or benefits overpayment and notify you in writing of the amount.

You must contact payroll to make arrangements for repayment. Contact information for payroll will be provided.

Effective April 1, 2022, if you resign or do not fulfil the full return to work requirements, any benefits that were maintained by the employer and/or flex credits paid on your behalf during your leave prior to April 1, 2022, will need to be repaid.