You’re not quite feeling your best self, something unexpected came up, or you’re about to experience a major life change. You take a deep breath, and it’s clear as day: you need to take some time off work.
Maybe you’re welcoming a new child. Or, you’re mourning the loss of a loved one. Or perhaps you suddenly require an intensive medical procedure.
In Ontario, employees are entitled to protected, unpaid leaves of absence for reasons outlined under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). But government websites can be confusing, and navigating the conversation with your employer shouldn’t add to what already may be an overwhelming situation.
Here at Humi, we’re always looking to help, so we’ve broken it down for you. Read on to learn how to cover your bases when asking your employer for an extended leave of absence.
To qualify for a job-protected leave of absence, you must have a valid reason prescribed by the ESA. Please refer to the chart below for examples. For more information on the types of leaves and their differences, check out our recent blog – What are the different types of leaves?
It’s important to note that psychological reasons, such as stress or depression, can be considered a sickness, meaning employees are entitled to the three-day sickness leave under the ESA. For any other types of leave, like study or travel, you don’t need a reason. Keep in mind that your job isn’t protected and your employer can refuse your request.
Every leave type is different, and while some are sudden and unexpected, others such as parental leave do require you to give advance notice. Most leave types don’t even require you to provide a return to work date! It can get hard to keep track of it all so we’ve put together a chart to help you keep tabs on the different leave types, their lengths, and notice requirements.
There is no set form that needs to be filled out for an employee to request a leave. However, you must provide your employer with notice in writing within the timeframes outlined above. A simple email (see example below) will suffice:
Dear Mrs. Duffy,
Please be advised that I will be taking parental leave in two weeks for 61 weeks starting on September 20, 2021.
Thank you,
Gurkirat Singh
In most cases, employers can (and will) ask for evidence.
Your HR department will be clear with what they need from you, but the chart above outlines when evidence should be provided. For example, for maternity leave, the employee must submit a medical certificate that shows their due date, if asked to do so by the employer.
Before submitting your request, be sure to familiarize yourself with your company’s policy – that way you have an idea of what your next move should be if your request is turned down.
It’s also possible that your employer has enhanced their time off policy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Humi, we’ve added paid programs and time off including our gradual return to work program, parental leave, professional development leave, and misscarriage leave. We also encourage our employees to take their paid time off and encourage our fellow Humigos to give back to the community by using their paid volunteer days.
It can be tough navigating certain types of leaves, especially with the fear that it could put your job in jeopardy. That’s why it’s important to know your rights as outlined by the ESA. Remember, time-off is a right, not a reward.
We hope this guide helps to relieve feelings of anxiety when navigating your own leave of absence. Prioritize you and your well-being, always. Take care.
For more information on how you can advocate for yourself in the workplace and prioritize your physical and mental well-being, dive into the following resources:
Yes, Andrea is actually writing them every two months. Got questions about something in an email? No problem – reply to the email and she’ll get back to you.
We know that HR is evolving and you don’t need to be told the same advice you've been hearing for years.
A list of resources that we find useful. If a template or an article has helped us, it’s probably going to help you too.
Hey there 👋 my name is Andrea Bartlett.
I’m the Director of HR at Humi, and I’m obsessed with all things people and human resources. Throughout my time working in a range of industries, I’ve learned that one thing is clear: the world of work is changing and HR professionals are leading the charge.
I believe that businesses should know their people as well as they know their product. But people are complex, and the solutions aren’t always easy. That’s how Think with Humi will help.
Written by me, this newsletter is designed to give you insight into the relevant and raw people challenges, and give you the tools to enable you to continuously to shape the future of work.
Written by a people leader, for people leaders.