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Medical
1. Compassionate Care
1.1. Summary
15.1.1 Family Medical Leave or Critical Illness Leave granted to a teacher
under this Article shall be in accordance with the provisions of the
Employment Standards Act, as amended.
15.1.2 The teacher will provide to the employer such evidence as necessary
to prove entitlement under the ESA.
15.1.3 A teacher contemplating taking such leave(s) shall notify the
employer of the intended date the leave is to begin and the
anticipated date of return to active employment.
15.1.4 Seniority and experience continue to accrue during such leave(s).
15.1.5 Where a teacher is on such leave(s), the Employer shall continue to
pay its share of the benefit premiums, where applicable. To
maintain participation and coverage under the Collective Agreement,
the teacher must agree to provide for payment for the teacher’s
share of the benefit premiums, where applicable.
15.1.6 In order to receive pay for such leaves, a teacher must access
Employment Insurance and the Supplemental Employment Benefit
(SEB) in accordance with 15.1.7 to 15.1.10, if allowable by
legislation. An employee who is eligible for E.I. is not entitled to
benefits under a school board’s sick leave and short term leave and
disability plan.
Supplemental Employment Benefits (SEB)
15.1.7 The Employer shall provide for permanent teachers who access such
leaves, a SEB plan to top up their E.I. Benefits. The permanent
teacher who is eligible for such leave shall receive 100% salary for a
period not to exceed eight (8) weeks provided the period falls within
the school year and during a period for which the permanent teacher
would normally be paid. The SEB Plan pay will be the difference
between the gross amount the teacher receives from E.I. and their
regular gross pay.
15.1.8 Long Term Occasional Teachers with an assignment of at least
ninety-seven (97) school days in length shall also be eligible for the
SEB plan with the length of the benefit limited by the term of the
assignment.
15.1.9 SEB payments are available only to supplement E.I. benefits during
the absence period as specified in this plan.
15.1.10 The teacher must provide the Board with proof that he/she has
applied for and is in receipt of employment insurance benefits in
accordance with the Employment Insurance Act, as amended, before
SEB is payable.
The 3 types of caregiving benefits
| Benefit name | Maximum weeks payable | Who you are providing care to |
|---|---|---|
| Family caregiver benefit for children | up to 35 weeks | A critically ill or injured person under 18 |
| Family caregiver benefit for adults | up to 15 weeks | A critically ill or injured person 18 or over |
| Compassionate care benefits | up to 26 weeks | A person of any age who requires end-of-life care |
1.2. Sick Leave Response
Sick Leave FAQ
To access a Sick Leave, have your doctor complete the attached Medical certificate (found in Appendix B of the Contract).
For NEW MEDICAL Leaves ONLY:
The Board has initiated a Sick Leave submission form found here: https://forms.gle/
(The Board memo explaining their form is found here)
For any communications after the initial submissions:
If you wish to include a Release Officer, please cc them on any direct correspondence to/from the board (outside of medical note submissions).
Your direct contacts at the Board are as follows:
kasandra.cousineau@ycdsb.ca - if Elementary
or
annie.robinson@ycdsb.ca - if Secondary
When you send your forms into them, make sure to put in the Subject line one of the following:
your first name last name - OECTA - Updating Medical
or
your first name last name - OECTA - Return to work
If there is a fee to complete the form (now and in future), the board will pay up to $45, and the receipt goes to maria.mabardi@ycdsb.ca
Note:
Please make sure you enter sick days in the YCDSB SFE until you hear back from the Wellness Department. Please enter them in 5-day blocks.
Planning to leave
You are asked to provide three days of lesson plans and that your marking and evaluations are all up to date and entered (or can be passed on to the Admin/LTO for entry). You need to provide all comments and anecdotals. Provide your short and long-term plans.
How Sick leave works:
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the first 11 days are paid @ 100% of the salary
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on the 12th day, you automatically start the Short Term Disability (STDLP) Leave Plan - 120 days paid @ 90% of your salary
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if you have any top-up days (check myPortal), they are automatically applied to top up your 90% days to 100% days
Timeline for Sick Days
If you were off the first day of work for the 2023-2024 school year, then your sick days will run out approximately on March 31, 2024
What happens to my pension and benefits on paid Sick/STDLP leave?
No change
What happens after using up all Sick Days and I am still sick?
Well, prior to the expiration of sick days, you need to contact the Unit Office and request a Long Term Disability (LTD) package. The process requires you to fill out several applications and to have your medical team send supporting medical files to the insurer, OTIP. This process can be lengthy and can take approximately 15+ weeks. Please ensure you leave enough time to meet the timelines.
What happens if I no longer have LTD coverage?
Once you reach the end of your sick leave/STLDP days and you are not medically cleared to return to work, then you will be on unpaid medical leave. You will be responsible for making the premium contributions for both the ELHT Benefits and your pension.
Well before this time, you should investigate and apply for Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits through the government of Canada. This coverage has just been extended to up to 26 weeks with a maximum weekly payout of $650. Follow this link for more details https://www.canada.ca/en/
Please note: The YCDSB MyPortal sick day usage totals will not be accurate while you are on medical leave. In order to avoid any disruption to pay cycles for members on leave, the Board's payroll system will reflect that the entire sick day allocation of 120 days paid at 90% has been used. If a member is medically cleared to return to work before all sick days are utilized, the payroll system will automatically replace all unused days.
How often do I need to submit medical?
The YCDSB’s practice is to request that you submit updated medical every 4 to 6 weeks. Any medical requested by the Board is to be submitted on the Medical Certificate and will be reimbursed up to $45 with receipt.
Return to Work & Accommodations:
When it is time for me to return to work, what is required?
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Using the medical certificate, submit medical clearing your return and noting any accommodations needed.
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Submit the updated medical to the respective Disability Support Administrator. (Do not cc us on this email)
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A return-to-work meeting shall take place prior to the return (CA ref. Part A - 3.7.3)
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Present at the meeting:
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Returning teacher
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An OECTA release officer
-
HR Supervisory Officer (or designate)
-
This meeting needs to occur within ten weekdays of receiving the medical.
How does my doctor indicate that I am cleared to return to work and/or need accommodations?
Using the Medical Certificate (found in Appendix B of the Contract), make sure they complete all portions of the certificate. Make sure to have the doctor carefully review Parts 3 & 4 and note any medical limitations.
The Board’s Disability Personnel will determine suitable return to work or accommodation plans based on the medical provided in consultation with you, the member, and the Unit representation.
Boards will accommodate limitations and restrictions consistent with their duty to accommodate. (3.7.5)