Thu, 14/01/2010

New right to request longer unpaid parental leave

Under the new National Employment Standards (NES), employees covered by the federal system now have a new right to request an extension of their unpaid parental leave to 24 months' unpaid leave, reduced by the amount of leave taken by their partner. Employers may only refuse the request only on reasonable business grounds. 

New right to request flexible working arrangements

The NES give employees with young children (below school age, or under 18 with a disability) a new right to request flexible working arrangements, including changes to hours, patterns (job sharing) or location. Employers may only refuse on reasonable business grounds

Return to work guarantee

The NES also guarantees that a new parent is entitled to return to the same position they held before taking parental leave. If the position no longer exists, they must return to a position that is nearest in status and pay.