StFX Employee Handbook (Non-Union)

If an employee is on vacation leave at the time of bereavement, the employee shall be granted appropriatecompassionate leave and be credited the appropriate number of days of vacation leave.Compassionate Care LeaveCompassionate care leave is an unpaid, maximum eight-week leave for an employee whose personalcare is required for a seriously ill family member, including a spouse (including common-law spouseresident with the employee), child (including child of common-law spouse), father, mother, brother,sister, step-child, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or any family memberliving in domicile, who has a high risk of dying within 26 weeks. An employee must have beenemployed by the University for more than three months before becoming eligible for compassionatecare leave.A request for compassionate care leave must be made to the University in writing, as far in advance aspossible. Failure to make such a request may result in permission being denied, or the requested startdate being delayed. An employee requesting compassionate care leave may be required to provide amedical certificate from a qualified practitioner, stating that the employee’s family member is seriouslyill and requires personal care.The leave may be broken up into separate periods of one-week blocks, depending on the needs of theUniversity.Note: Employees who take all compassionate care leave at once may qualify for a six-weekcompassionate care leave benefit under the federal government’s Employment Insuranceprogram. Details may be found at:http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ei/types/compassionate_care.shtml#WhoLeaves of AbsenceSubject to the needs of the University and in the sole discretion of the University, an employee may begranted a non-paid leave of absence upon the approval of his or her manager or supervisor, inconsultation with Human Resources, for a period of up to one year. During the period of leave theemployee’s position will be held open until he or she returns. These leaves cannot be requested when theemployee is offered a permanent position within another area of the University.Insured benefits, excluding Long Term Disability, may be continued for up to one year of the approvedleave, subject to the Member paying the full cost, and meeting any qualifying conditions under specificplans.Jury DutyEmployees required to serve on jury duty and/or appear as a witness under subpoena in a criminalproceeding shall not be financially prejudiced as a result of carrying out such duties. The University shallreimburse the employee for any negative difference between any remuneration or reimbursement providedwith regard to such duties and the employee’s normal wages.Employees who are required to appear as witnesses in a civil or administrative matter by subpoena orsimilar summons shall be entitled to an unpaid leave of absence.Updated March 2011 - 20 of 31