Orientation guide for newcomers to New Brunswick - Government of ...

Maternity and adoption leaveEmployees who are pregnant are oftenentitled to take time off without pay aroundthe time of their child’s birth. This is calledmaternity leave.• often you have to be on the job for aminimum period of time to be eligiblefor maternity leave. New Brunswick doesnot set a minimum amount of time, butemployers have different policies. Makesure you know your employer’s policy.Contact Service Canada:• toll-free, 1-800-206-7218• some employees are also eligible forfinancial assistance from the federalgovernment while on maternity leave. It iscalled Employment Insurance (EI) maternitybenefits. It lasts for 17 weeks. To receivematernity benefits, you are required to haveworked for 600 hours in the previous yearor since your last claim;• in some cases, employers will add to thegovernment maternity benefits so that theemployee receives the same amount ofmoney she would be paid if working; and• female employees must give written noticeto their employer at least four weeks beforethey go on maternity leave.You may also take unpaid leave if you areadopting a child. In New Brunswick, thematernity and adoption leave can be sharedby both parents but the total time cannotbe more than 37 weeks. Eligible employeesmay receive EI parental benefits for 35 weeks.The combined total of maternity leave andchild care leave taken by one or both parentscannot total more than 52 weeks.An employer must allow an employeeto return to work, in the same or similarposition, after taking either of these leaves:• toll-free, 1-800-206-7218• www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/special.shtmlEmployment Insurance (EI)Employment Insurance (EI) is a federalgovernment program that may give youmoney when you lose your job. It is onlyavailable under certain conditions. You musthave lost your job because of something youcould not control such as a work shortage orthe closing of the company. You must also beready to work again and be looking for work.If you voluntarily quit your job or are firedfor misconduct at work, you will not beeligible to receive regular EI benefits (rareexceptions apply, such as if your workplaceis not tolerable because of harassment or ifyour working conditions are unsafe). Eventhen, you are expected to take steps to workwith your employer to improve the situationbefore quitting, and you still may not qualifyfor employment insurance.To be eligible for EI:• you must be without a job for at leastseven consecutive days;• you must have already worked from420 to 700 hours. If it is your first time inthe workforce or if you have been absentfrom work for about two years, you maybe required to have 910 hours of work;• the eligibility period of time required toapply for EI is 52 weeks; and• if you meet all these conditions, you mayreceive pay for 14 up to a maximum of45 weeks.52Orientation guide for newcomers to New Brunswick