All long-term and continuing members of the Faculty Association and University Research Associates who become a parent of a new-born or newly adopted children are eligible for parental leave.

All short-term and recurring limited term members of the Faculty Association and Visiting Faculty are eligible for unpaid parental leave.

Members on a post retirement contract are NOT eligible. 

Continuing and long-term members of the Faculty Association who become a parent of a new-born or newly adopted children are eligible for paid and unpaid parental leave.

• 35 weeks paid leave; one week paid at 95% salary (EI waiting period) and 34 weeks paid at 95% of salary (less the maximum EI benefit that may be paid)
• 17 or 43 weeks unpaid leave during which you may be eligible for EI benefits, depending on the EI option chosen
• The maximum combined paid and unpaid leave entitlement  is 78 weeks.

Shared Leave - where both parents are employees of SFU, please see Collective Agreement Articles 47.23- 47.24.

If a child has a physical, psychological or emotional condition requiring parental care, either parent is entitled to an additional five weeks of unpaid leave.

Timeline

Benefits coverage will be maintained on the same basis as before the leave for all parental leave options, whether paid or unpaid. 

For short-term and recurring limited term members, the unpaid leave and benefits will end as per the date of the contract.  There is no obligation to extend the short-term appointment beyond its original end date (Article 47.28).  

Pension contributions will not be made or taken on the unpaid portion of a parental leave in accordance with the 2022-2025 SFUFA Collective Agreement. Members will have 2 options to “purchase service” from the BC College Pension Plan (BCCPP) for this unpaid time.

1. Members may make continuous contributions to their pension throughout the leave (must apply within 30 days of start of leave).  SFU will pay for the employer portion of the leave cost if this option chosen.
2. Member may choose to do nothing at the time and no pension contributions will be made on the unpaid portions of the leave. Member will have up to five years after the leave ends (or within 30 days of termination of employment if earlier) during which to buy service in a one lump sum payment. SFU will also pay for the employer portion of the leave cost if this option chosen.

Please note that whether past service is purchased from the BCCPP or not, SFU will compensate you in accordance with the current Collective Agreement (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025).

You must obtain the forms required for Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefits from your local EI office at Service Canada. The SFU Payroll department will file a Record of Employment (ROE) electronically with the EI office once your leave begins. EI will have this record of employment to refer to when you process your application for benefits. Please be aware there is a 1 week required waiting period before receiving EI benefits.

Please see the Service Canada website for more information.