Other Types of Leaves

Conference/Convention Leave

Article 22 of the Collective Agreement allows Faculty, Librarians, AAS and Sessional Lecturers to ask for Conference and Convention Leave.

In general, a member must apply for Conference/Convention Leave to his/her Dean, or Head as designate of the Dean. The University must ensure the uninterrupted continuation of programs and quality of service when they consider a request for conference and convention leave. In light of this responsibility, leaves under this clause shall not be withheld unreasonably. See the complete text of Article 22. For information on per diem or vehicle travel allowance, click here. For information on professional development and membership fees reimbursement, read Article I which is applicable to conference and convention leave.

Compassionate Leave

Under Article 24 of the Collective Agreement, it is recognized that certain emergencies such as death or serious illness might require members to take immediate and short term absences. The length of absence with full salary and all other rights, privileges and benefits shall be determined by the Dean or University Librarian or Law Librarian following approval of the Provost.

Court Leave

Under Article 19 of the Collective Agreement, a leave of absence with full salary and benefits shall be granted to any member, other than a member on leave of absence without salary, to serve on a jury or attend as a witness in a proceeding.

Serving on a jury or attending as a witness or being part of a proceeding which requires a member to be in attendance as a matter of civic or public duty in a court of justice or before a legal or statutory body is covered under your terms of employment. The University may grant leave for proceedings in a serious action in which the member is a plaintiff if the member's presence as a witness is required. This does not apply in a case where the member's action is against the University. See Article 19

Critically Ill Child Care Leave

Under Article 24:03 of the Collective Agreement, a member is entitled to a leave of absence to provide care or support to his/her critically ill child.

A ‘child’ means a child, step-child, foster child or a child who is under legal guardianship, and who is under 18 years of age. ‘Critically ill’ means the child’s baseline state of health has significantly changed and whose life is at risk as a result of an illness or injury.

The member must obtain and provide a certificate from a qualified health practitioner that states that the child is critically ill, and that the child requires the care or support of one or more family members. The note will also set out the period of time which the child requires care or support. See Article 24 for more details.

**Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 has made changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) with respect to critical illness leave. To review a summary of the changes, please click here to visit the Hicks Morley website.

Family Medical Leave

Under Articles 24:04 - 24:07 of the Collective Agreement, members are granted a leave of absence of up to 28 weeks to provide care or support to a family member.

A member who wishes to take leave shall advise his/her Dean and Head (in the case of librarian members, the University Librarian or Law Librarian as appropriate and the Associate University Librarian) in writing prior to his/her departure or as soon as possible. He/she must also provide expected dates of departure and return and shall provide a certificate as mentioned in the Ontario Employment Standards Act no later than upon their return to work. Please read the article for more details.

Leave of Absence without Salary

Under Article 20 of the Collective Agreement, a member may apply to the Provost for, and may be granted, a leave of absence without salary for a mutually agreed period.

The Dean and Head (in the case of librarian members, the Dean of the Library or Law Librarian as appropriate and the Associate Librarian) shall provide the Provost with letters of appraisal of the member's application, which shall not be deemed confidential. The parties recognize that such leave should be mutually beneficial to the member and the University.  They also recognize the responsibility of the University for ensuring the uninterrupted continuation and quality of program(s) of the University.  In the light of these two objectives, leave under this Article shall not be withheld unreasonably. A member on leave under Article 20 shall be entitled at his/her sole expense to participate in any or all of the University's fringe benefit Plans (including the University Retirement Plan). A member may terminate his/her leave and return to the University at the beginning of any academic year or at the beginning of the second (2nd) semester, if written notice of his/her return is given to the Dean and Head (or in the case of librarian members the Dean of the Library or Law Librarian, as appropriate) prior to the assignment of teaching responsibilities (or in the case of librarian members, workload assignments) for the semester in which they intend to return, or by mutual agreement. See Article 20

Political Leave

Under Article 18 of the Collective Agreement, Political Leave can be granted to members, including leave of absence for campaign purposes. Certain conditions may apply. For the full text of the Political Leave section of the Collective Agreement, see Article 18.