Leaves for Staff

Pregnancy Leave

Please refer to your collective agreement or employment policies for the pregnancy and parental leave policies that will govern your leave. Your collective agreement or employment policies can be accessed on the People Strategy, Equity and Culture website. Refer to the Pregnancy Leave article that can be accessed by logging into the HR Service Centre. If you have any questions about the University policy, you can contact your Human Resources Generalist or the Family Care Office.

Parental Leave

Please refer to your collective agreement or employment policies for the pregnancy and parental leave policies that will govern your leave. Your collective agreement or employment policies can be accessed on the People Strategy, Equity and Culture website. Refer to the Parental Leave article that can be accessed by logging into the HR Service Centre. If you have any questions about the University policy, you can contact your Human Resources Generalist or the Family Care Office.

This leave may not available to employees who have taken Primary Caregiver and Adoption Leave.

Primary Caregiver & Adoption Leave

Please refer to your collective agreement or employment policies for the pregnancy and parental leave policies that will govern your leave. Your collective agreement or employment policies can be accessed on the People Strategy, Equity and Culture website. Refer to the Primary Caregiver and Adoption Leave article that can be accessed by logging into the HR Service Centre. If you have any questions about the University policy, you can contact your Human Resources Generalist or the Family Care Office.

Non-Birth Parent Leave

Please refer to your collective agreement or employment policies for the pregnancy and parental leave policies that will govern your leave. Your collective agreement or employment policies can be accessed on the People Strategy, Equity and Culture website. Refer to an appropriate article in the HR Service Centre. If you have any questions about the University policy, you can contact your Human Resources Generalist or the Family Care Office.

Compassionate Care Leave

The University may grant compassionate care leave to employees who take a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave provisions of the Employment Standards Act of Ontario. For employees with one(1) year of service or more the University will pay the equivalent of the weekly Employment Insurance Compassionate Care benefit (EI) for which the employee is qualified during the waiting period for EI provided that the employee applies for and receives EI benefits. Please refer to your collective agreement or employment policies which can be accessed on the People Strategy, Equity and Culture website to determine if you are entitled to this benefit. Refer to an appropriate article in the HR Service Centre.

Additional Leaves

There are unpaid, job-protected leaves that you may be able to access if you are caring for a seriously ill family member. Employment Insurance (EI) benefits may be available for some of these leaves.

Family Caregiver Leave

Family Medical Leave and EI Compassionate Care Benefits

Critical Illness Leave and EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Children / EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Adults

Book an Appointment

Email us or call 416-978-0951 to book a confidential appointment with a staff member at the Family Care Office to discuss your particular situation.

Information Package

Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave packages are available from the Family Care Office. Each package contains the following:

  • Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave Checklist
  • University of Toronto Notification of Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave Form
  • Information on Employment Insurance Maternity and Parental Benefits provided by Service Canada
  • U of T Benefits Information
  • U of T Family Care Office Workshop Information on Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave Planning and Choosing Child Care That Works for Your Family.
  • U of T Child Care Bookmark
  • Staff Notification of Leave Form Instruction Video

To request one of these packages, contact the Family Care Office at 416-978-0951, or email family.care@utoronto.ca. All calls are completely confidential.

Additional Assistance

Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave Workshops

This is an instruction video to assist U of T staff with filling out the Notification of Pregnancy/Parental/Adoption/Primary Caregiver Leave Form. It is intended for the following employee groups: United Steelworkers, Staff Appointed Unit (USW Local 1998), Professional and Managerial Staff (P/M), Confidential Staff, Senior Research Associates or Research Associates.

If you require further information about the completion of your notification of leave form, online application for Employment Insurance, child care or combining work and family life, please feel free to contact the Family Care Office at (416) 978-0951.