Maternity Leave Entitlements In New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, birth mothers are entitled to up to 17 weeks of maternity leave, which can start as early as 13 weeks before the due date. This leave is unpaid but job-protected, meaning that employees can take time off work and return to their job without concern. Mothers can also take an additional 61 weeks of parental leave, which is also unpaid but job-protected. This means that mothers in New Brunswick can take a total of 78 weeks off work for the birth of their child.

Maternity leave is 15-17 weeks

In New Brunswick, Canada, maternity leave is 15–17 weeks. This is an unpaid, job-protected period of leave for pregnant employees to physically recover from childbirth. Mothers can begin their maternity leave as early as 12–13 weeks before the expected due date and can take up to 17 consecutive weeks off work.

Maternity leave is distinct from parental leave, which is available to both mothers and fathers, and is taken to care for a new baby or adopted child. There are two types of parental leave: standard and extended. Standard parental leave is 35 weeks, and extended parental leave is 61 weeks.

When referring to "maternity leave", people often mean maternity leave combined with parental leave, as the latter was introduced more recently. Combining maternity leave and parental leave results in a total of 50 or 76 weeks of leave, depending on the type of parental leave chosen.

It's important to note that maternity leave is unpaid, and employers are not required to pay employees during this time. However, there are Employment Insurance (EI) benefits available to support new mothers during maternity leave. To qualify for EI benefits, individuals must meet certain criteria, such as being employed and paying EI premiums, experiencing a reduction in weekly earnings, and having worked a minimum number of hours.

Parental leave is 35-61/62 weeks

In New Brunswick, Canada, there are two types of parental leave: Standard Parental Leave and Extended Parental Leave.

Standard Parental Leave

Standard Parental Leave is 35 weeks. This is for parents, both mothers and fathers, caring for a new baby or adopted child. This is to be shared between parents, and can be taken at the same time. The total number of weeks for Standard Parental Leave is 50 weeks, which includes Maternity Leave.

Extended Parental Leave

Extended Parental Leave is 61 weeks. This is also for parents, both mothers and fathers, caring for a new baby or adopted child. This is to be shared between parents, and can be taken at the same time. The total number of weeks for Extended Parental Leave is 76 weeks, which includes Maternity Leave.

Maternity Leave

Maternity Leave is 15 weeks. This is a benefit offered to support new mothers through the physical recovery of childbirth. It can be started up to 12 weeks before the expected date of birth. Maternity Leave is unpaid, and a medical certificate and written notice must be provided.

Mothers can take a total of 76-78 weeks off

In New Brunswick, mothers can take a total of 76 to 78 weeks off work after giving birth. This includes 15 to 17 weeks of maternity leave and 61 weeks of parental leave.

Maternity leave is a benefit offered to support new mothers through the physical recovery of childbirth. It is exclusively for mothers and can be started up to 12 or 13 weeks before the expected due date. It is unpaid, and birth mothers have the right to take up to 15 to 17 consecutive weeks off work.

Parental leave is a benefit available to both mothers and fathers, allowing them to care for a newborn or adopted child. There are two types of parental leave: standard and extended. Standard parental leave allows for 35 weeks off work, while extended parental leave provides 61 weeks. The total number of weeks for parental leave (either 50 or 76) is shared between the parents if both qualify for Employment Insurance. This means that one parent can take 40 weeks, while the other takes 10 weeks, and they can take this time off simultaneously.

It is important to note that the parental leave benefits are not an additional income but rather an extension of the same dollar amounts from the standard parental leave option spread over a longer period. Therefore, the benefit lies in the added leave time and not in increased financial support.

Parents can share parental leave

In New Brunswick, parents can share parental leave. This is known as the Parental Sharing Benefit, which came into effect on 17 March 2019. It provides an additional five weeks of parental leave when it is shared between parents. This benefit is available to two-parent families, including adoptive parents and same-sex couples.

The Parental Sharing Benefit is only available to top up existing parental leave benefits if the leave is shared between parents. It is important to note that the total number of weeks of parental leave is shared between the parents. For example, if one parent takes 40 weeks of standard parental leave, the other parent can take 10 weeks. However, these weeks can be taken at the same time.

Both parents must choose the same option (standard or extended) and submit their own application for parental leave. Once parental benefits are being received, the option cannot be changed.

To apply for parental leave, the online Maternity, Paternity, and Parental Leave Form must be submitted to the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation (NBTF) at least two months before the due date. The NBTF will then fill out an official form, which will specify the dates of the benefits. Once this form is received, it is important to check the dates and keep a copy for your records. The next step is to apply for Employment Insurance Benefits, which can be done online or in person at a local Service Canada office.

Maternity leave is unpaid

In New Brunswick, maternity leave is a benefit offered to support new mothers through the physical recovery of childbirth. Mothers can take up to 17 consecutive weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, starting as early as 13 weeks before the due date. This means that maternity leave can begin up to 30 weeks before the baby is due, allowing mothers to take time off to care for themselves and their newborn child without the worry of losing their job.

While on maternity leave, employees continue to accumulate seniority and must be allowed to return to the same job or a comparable job with no decrease in benefits or pay. This protection is provided by the New Brunswick Employment Standards Act (ESA), which ensures that employees can take time off for various reasons and return to their jobs without concern.

It is important to note that maternity leave is unpaid. This means that employees will not receive their regular salary during this time. However, they may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, which provide financial support during periods of leave. These benefits are available to those who have paid EI premiums and meet certain criteria, such as having worked a minimum number of hours.

To qualify for EI maternity benefits, individuals must meet specific criteria, including being employed and paying EI premiums, giving birth or adopting, and experiencing a reduction in weekly earnings. Additionally, individuals must have worked a minimum of 600 hours, which is approximately 15 full-time work weeks or four months of full-time work.

The amount of EI benefits received during maternity leave will depend on the individual's average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. These benefits are usually calculated as a percentage of the individual's regular income, providing a partial replacement of their wages during the leave period.

It is recommended that individuals apply for EI benefits as soon as possible, ideally on or shortly after their last day of work before starting maternity leave. This ensures that they can receive the financial support they need during their time off without delays.

While maternity leave itself is unpaid, the EI benefits provide crucial financial assistance to new mothers during this important period of recovery and bonding with their newborn child.

Frequently asked questions