Executive Council
June 2, 2015
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat:
Provincial Government Implements Job-Protected Unpaid Leave Policy
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to supporting families and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. We also recognize that there may be instances when families face a crisis. We are committed to supporting our province’s families through these difficult times as well. That is why we have implemented the Job-Protected Unpaid Leave Policy for the public service. This policy means the jobs of parents are protected if they need to take leave to focus on their families in times of trying circumstances such as dealing with a critically ill child, or with a crime-related child death or disappearance.
Mr. Speaker, these circumstances are unimaginable and ones that we hope no one ever has to face. In the unfortunate event that a family is faced with these situations, this government wants to support families in this province and alleviate the added stress of worrying about employment. The Job-Protected Unpaid Leave Policy allows working parents to address the needs of their families, secure in the knowledge that their jobs are protected.
The provisions of the Labour Standards Act are not binding to the Crown which necessitates the development of a stand-alone human resource policy to ensure employment protection and job-protected, unpaid leave is extended to public service employees.
As a result, the new policy reflects the Labour Standards Act and creates the following two new job-protected, unpaid leave of absence options for the public service:
- Critically ill child care leave, which provides up to 37 weeks of unpaid leave for the parent of a critically ill child to provide care or support to that child; and
- Crime-related child death or disappearance leave, which provides up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave for the parent of a child who disappears as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence, and up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave for the parent of a child who dies as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence.
Mr. Speaker, the leave period will not be considered a break in service. Therefore, upon return from unpaid leave, employees will not lose any benefits that had accrued at the commencement of the period of job-protected unpaid leave.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting our employees and providing them with the assistance they need to address any of their family’s needs. Our vision for a prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador is demonstrated in our commitment and investments in the health and well-being of our children and families.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
2015 06 02 2:00 p.m.