Parental Leave

Note: The page below is for a resident whose partner is having a baby. If you are the one expecting the baby, please CLICK HERE to visit the Maternity Leave page, which outlines both phases of your leave there.

So your partner is expecting a baby? This is an exciting time in your life, but it can be overwhelming during residency, with everything else you have going on.

We have compiled a short list of where to go and what to do if you are planning to take a parental leave. We also have some contact information for the people you may need to get in touch with.

A resident who becomes a parent for one or more children through the birth of the child or children is entitled to an unpaid leave of absence of up to thirty-five (35) weeks.
The resident shall provide the program director with two (2) weeks notice of the date the resident will begin parental leave including effective dates.
The program, through DalMedix, will submit the information to the Post-Graduate Medical Education office at Dalhousie University. The Post-Graduate Medical Education office will advise the employer the resident is taking a parental leave of absence including effective dates of the leave.
Once your parental leave begins, payroll will electronically forward your Record of Employment (ROE) to Employment Insurance (EI) on your behalf. Information regarding EI can be found on the following website: click here. You can also print off a copy of your ROE from this website.
You can apply or set up your claim with EI as soon as the baby is born. The information regarding EI can be found on the following website: click here.

Parental Leave Top-Up

During the first 12 weeks of your Parental leave, you may be paid Supplementary Employment Benefits (S.E.B) in accordance with leave allowance provisions of the collective agreement.

Payments equal to 75% of your salary for one week if you serve the EI waiting period.
Payments equal to 93% of your salary, less your EI Benefit, up to a maximum of 10 weeks.

The resident is then eligible to receive an additional unpaid 24 weeks of Parental/Adoption leave. During this portion of your parental leave, you will not receive any employer top-up, you will only receive your EI benefit from the government.

In order for your top-up to be deposited into your account from the employer, it is mandatory that proof be provided that you are in receipt of EI benefits. You are required to submit your EI stub every time you receive payment from EI. In order to obtain your stub, go to the Service Canada website, using your access code sent by Service Canada, go to “My Payments” which lists the payments received by EI. (If your spouse has served the waiting period, you do not need to serve the two (2) week waiting period). You can print the EI stub and fax it to 902-473-4451 or print off, sign, and forward to meded@nshealth.ca

Your first top-up will be deposited into your account on the next pay after receipt of this confirmation and will continue to be paid for the ten (10) weeks that you are off on parental leave.

Please note: During the time you are off on leave, you are not earning vacation, therefore the academic year in which you take a paternity leave, your vacation will be prorated based on the number of months you worked within the year.

For more information about from the Collective Agreement regarding Maternity Leave, Pregnancy Leave Allowance and Parental Leave, please refer to the following link – Leaves of Absence.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your pay, please contact meded@nshealth.ca or 902-473-1033.

Your Group Benefits while on Leave

While on pregnancy leave, parental leave or adoption leave, your group benefits plan will continue with the same cost-share arrangement. If you are receiving a top-up allowance, this deduction will continue to be deducted from your bi-weekly top-up allowance. Once exhausted, your group benefits will continue and you will be deducted for the cost of your benefits in one lump sum, upon your return to residency.

Please note, our Mardocs group benefits plan is mandatory for all members of your family, if other coverage is not available. If you need to switch coverage to a family plan, upon the birth of your baby, please complete the CANADA LIFE CHANGE FORM and return it to Leanne@mardocs.ca to update your plan.

If you already have family coverage in place, you can update your new baby’s birth details directly at https://my.canadalife.com/sign-in under your profile > beneficiaries + dependents.