Discussions

A friend of mine is considering having a baby: however she is not sure if her work would be willing to top up her benefits while she is on EI. Does anyone have any experiences, suggestions, advice on when or how to approach her employer? She is afraid that if the wrong people find out she'll lose her job (not that asking about mat leave should result in that outcome). Thank you in advance.

She can not be fired for anything like that. And if it were to happen she has every right to fight it. She should not have any problems going to management for such a conversation. The only way she will truly find out is if she talks to someone who has had maternity leave through the company or talking directly to her company on what the options are.

Her employer is under no obligation to provide her with a top up unless it's part of her collective bargaining agreement (i.e. contract). It should be outlined there.  
 
As for getting fired, no they are not supposed to fire you but it happens more often than you would think.

I cannot even imagine thinking that my employee should have to top up my salary while Im on maternity leave.

Jaxon said "I cannot even imagine thinking that my employee should have to top up my salary while Im on maternity leave. "

Well in this case it might be a win/win. The employee gets income security and the employer gets a guarantee that the trained employee will return to work for them.  
 
I don't believe that my friend feels entitled to have her mat. leave topped up it is only an option she wants to explore.  
 
Thank you for your post

I work I get a top up for so many weeks of 95%(about 3 months) but u have to pay them back in hours once returned if u don't return u pay the money back

T-s said "    Jaxon said "I cannot even imagine thinking that my employee should have to top up my salary while Im on maternity leave. " Well in this case it might be a win/win. The employee gets income security and the employer gets a guarantee that the trained employee will return to work for them.     I don't believe that my friend feels entitled to have her mat. leave topped up it is only an option she wants to explore.     Thank you for your post "

What do you mean by 'the employer gets a guarantee that the trained employee will return to work for them.'  
 
Topping up someone's mat leave doesn't guarantee anything.  
 
I have rarely seen top up packages outside of executive contracts and union agreements. Soe employers have options where you get extra deductions leading up to mat leave and basically pay you own top up in advance but other than that it is a rare perk.  
 
I am pretty sure if your 'friend's employer had such options she would be aware of them through her employment offer, policy manual or contract but it never hurts to ask I guess.

I get maternity leave top up through my employer - for several months. Like previous posters have stated, this information would be clearly outlined in a collective union agreement (should you have one). It IS an effective guarantee for the employer that their staff will return to work following the leave, because a contract is signed stating that you will return to work (with my employer, it's for a period of at least 6 months) after your leave is finished, or pay back all of the top up paid out to you. I think it's a win win!  
 
I'm not aware of any private employers providing maternity leave top up, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Ask your friend if she is unionized (i.e. Union dues come off her pay cheque regularly). If the answer is yes, then she needs to check the Maternity Leave article in her collective agreement. I've seen some collective agreements with the top up/ stipulation of paying it back if you don't return to work after your LOA, but I've also seen some agreements that have taken it out (negotiated out) with a statement like "employees who commenced employment before January 1st, 2000 are entitled to a top up" but people who started after that date are not. If she is not unionized, then a top up isn't an option for her. The employer won't fire her over inquiring about it, but if she's not unionized they'll probably laugh at the question.

T-s said "    Jaxon said "I cannot even imagine thinking that my employee should have to top up my salary while Im on maternity leave. " Well in this case it might be a win/win. The employee gets income security and the employer gets a guarantee that the trained employee will return to work for them.     I don't believe that my friend feels entitled to have her mat. leave topped up it is only an option she wants to explore.     Thank you for your post "

It us fine she asks but if it is none union then they are pushing it.  
 
The costs to replace him/her (or not) is a cost. Both in dollar figures or stressed out staff etc.  
 
A trained employee 6 to what may be 18 months out of the work world means far less than how good he/she was. Getting back up to speed can cost the company just as training a Temp may have done.  
 
 
The trained factor nowadays means less. I think your buddy should ask co- workers or someone who worked there before and holds no grudges.