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Ending pre-placement adoption leave

Last updated on January 15, 2026

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

Before your pre-placement adoption leave ends

Inform your supervisor in writing of your intention to return to work as soon as possible. Use the template:

Letter to Supervisor Advising of Return to Work After Maternity, Parental or Pre-placement Adoption Leave (DOCX, 41KB).

Also inform your supervisor if you are:

  • Requesting parental leave after your pre-placement adoption leave has ended, or
  • Resigning and not returning to work. 

If you're taking parental leave and have already included this leave with your pre-placement adoption leave application, please refer to the parental leave timeline to find out what you need to do one month before the end of your parental leave.

​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 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 pre-placement adoption 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.