2. Parental Leave (Spousal)

2. Parental Leave (Spousal)

2.1 General

2.1.1 An employee who has become the natural father of a child or whose common law spouse becomes the natural parent of a child, or who assumes actual care and custody of their common law spouses newborn child is eligible for parental (spousal) leave without pay in accordance with the Manitoba Employment Standards Code.

2.1.2 Employees must submit an application in writing for parental leave (spousal) at least four (4) weeks before the date specified in the application as the day the leave is to commence.

2.1.3 Parental Leave (spousal) shall consist of a period not exceeding thirty-seven (37) weeks subject to

2.1.4, 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 following.

2.1.4 An employee who gives less notice than specified in 2.1.2 shall be eligible for a period of parental leave (spousal) of thirty-seven consecutive weeks less the number of days by which the notice given is less than four weeks.

2.2 Commencement and Termination of Leave

2.2.1 Parental leave (spousal) shall commence no later than the first anniversary date of the birth of the child. or of the date on which the child comes into the actual care and custody of the employee.

2.2.2 An employee may terminate the parental leave (spousal) earlier than the date set out in 2.1.3 or 2.1.4 by giving written notice not less than one pay period prior to the day the employee wishes the leave to terminate.

2.3 Reinstatement of Employee

An employee who wishes to resume employment on the expiration of leave granted in accordance with this section shall be reinstated by the Division in the position occupied at the time such leave commenced or in a comparable position with not less than the same wages and benefits.

2.4 Employment Deemed Continuous

For the purpose of calculating pension and other benefits of an employee to whom leave is granted in accordance with this section, employment after the termination of the leave shall be deemed to be continuous with employment before the commencement of the leave.

2.5 Additional Personal Leave

Additional personal leave may be granted to an employee provided a mutually satisfactory agreement can be concluded between the Division and the employee.

2.6 Authorization for Leave

The Chief Superintendent or designee shall be authorized to grant leaves in accordance with the Parental Leave (Spousal) Section, with the exception that additional leave requested in accordance with Section 2.5 shall require approval of the Board.