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Benefits while on leave or layoff

Last updated on June 27, 2024

Benefits coverage continues for some approved leaves and may be purchased for other leaves.

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Long term disability coverage

Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage will not be available if you cannot return from your leave due to illness, unless you purchase coverage and meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for benefits.

You need to consider if you want to pay the premiums to have the option of applying for LTD in the event that you need it.

If you opt to continue LTD benefits, and pay the premium within 30 days of the leave start, you'll be eligible to apply for LTD if you're unable to return to work at the end of your leave.

You must make this decision at the beginning of your leave. You cannot retroactively opt for LTD coverage.

Benefits while on leave with pay

We will continue to fund your benefits coverage while you're on leave with pay, but you will continue to be responsible for the employee portions of any benefits that are employee paid (such as Employee Basic Life Insurance coverage above the employer paid portion; Optional Life Insurance coverage). 

Benefits while on leave with partial pay

We will continue to fund your benefits costs based on your reduced pay. If you wish to maintain full coverage for long term disability, you may choose to top-up your coverage to 100%.

If you've chosen to top up your coverage, full payment or monthly postdated cheques must be received within 30 days of the beginning of your leave in order to allow for processing time. If payment is not received within 30 days of the start of your leave, your benefits will continue to be funded based on your reduced pay, but will not be topped up to 100%.

Benefits while on leave without pay

Continuation of benefits coverage while on an unpaid leave of absence greater than 30 calendar days varies, depending on the type of leave that you're taking.

If the leave is included in Part 6 of the Employment Standards Act, benefits will be maintained with the exception of any employee paid Optional Life Insurance coverage that you had in place prior to the leave.

You can elect to maintain your Optional Life Insurance coverage by:

If, while on an Employment Standards Act leave of absence, you do not apply to maintain your Optional Life Insurance coverage or if payment is not received within 30 days of the beginning of your leave, your coverage will be considered waived. Should you wish to re-enrol, you may need to re-qualify and provide evidence of insurability.

Employment Standard Act leaves include:

  • Maternity and parental leave where you waive, are not eligible for or defer your allowance
  • Compassionate care leave
  • Leave respecting the disappearance of a child
  • Leave respecting the death of a child
  • Family caregiver leave (critical illness or injury leave)
  • Leave respecting domestic violence

For all other unpaid leaves of absence greater than 30 calendar days, benefits will not be maintained.

Benefits coverage may be purchased for up to 24 months while you're on an approved leave without pay. To maintain coverage:

You will be unable to continue your benefits coverage if payment is not received within 30 days of the beginning of your leave.

Benefits while on layoff

If you're laid off for one calendar month or more, benefits coverage can be continued for up to six months if you apply to continue coverage and pay the premiums. If you're recalled and have not lost seniority, you may be eligible for immediate reinstatement of benefits where re-qualification is not required.

If you would like to pay to maintain your benefits coverage:

You'll be unable to continue your benefits coverage if payment is not received within 30 days of the beginning of your layoff.

Re-enrolment for benefits coverage upon return to work

Leave under 90 days

You must notify MyHR at (toll free) 1-877-277-0772.

Coverage will be reinstated with the same coverage and dependants as prior to the start of the leave.

Leave over 90 days

For Bargaining Unit employees who did not pay to maintain benefits, you must complete an application form to re-enrol for benefits coverage.

  • Optional insurance plans that do not require evidence of insurability (EOI) may be reinstated without delay
  • Optional employee and/or spouse life insurance may only be reinstated after an eligible life event or during the next open enrolment period and you will be required to provide evidence of insurability. If you return in a new plan year after the open enrolment period has passed, you can make changes to your optional life insurance plans and evidence of insurability is required for optional employee and/or spouse life insurance

For excluded employees under the flexible benefit program:

  • If you return in the same plan year, the benefits coverage you had prior to your leave will be reinstated EXCEPT for employee and/or spouse optional life insurance, where you must wait until an eligible life event or until the next open enrolment period to re-enrol for coverage. You will be required to provide evidence of insurability
  • If you return in a new plan year, you can make changes to your options by completing the application form. You will be required to provide evidence of insurability if you apply for employee and/or spouse optional life insurance

If you cancel your benefits coverage during your maternity and/or parental leave

For Bargaining Unit employees, you will need to re-enrol.

  • You can enrol for extended health and dental without delay. However, you must wait until an eligible life event or until the next open enrolment period to enrol in any optional insurance plans, including those that do not require evidence of insurability
  • If you return in a new plan year after the Optional Life Insurance open enrolment period has passed, you have the option to make changes at that time. You will be required to provide evidence of insurability if you enrol in employee and/or spouse optional life insurance

For excluded employees under the flexible benefit program:

  • If you return in the same plan year, you must wait until an eligible life event or until the next open enrolment period to reinstate benefits coverage
  • If you return in a new plan year, you can re-enrol by completing the application form. You will be required to provide evidence of insurability if you enrol in employee and/or spouse optional life insurance