Leave of Absence
An "approved leave of absence" means an absence from work, which is;
(a) a maximum of five cumulative years for general leaves and a maximum of three years for pregnancy/maternity and parental/adoption leaves (with each term not to exceed one year from the child's birth or adoption date), completed after December 31, 1991, and
(b) approved by the Council, Management or the Board of Directors of a participating MEBP Employer, and
(c) any approved period of service with a participating Employer that can be proven, that satisfies clauses (a) and (b), and for which an Member does not already have pensionable service under another arrangement.
Types of Unpaid Leaves of Absence
- Maternity/Parental Leave
- Educational/Professional Leave
- Personal Leaves
- Compassionate Care Leave
- Sick/Injury Leave
- Workers Compensation Board (WBC) Leave
- Manitoba Public Insurance Leave
Layoff
A layoff occurs when an Employer cuts back or stops the Member's work without ending his/her employment.
Forms required to be completed:
For all members of the Group Insurance and/or Disability Income Plan who go on an approved unpaid Leave of Absence should complete the Group Insurance & Disability Plan Leave of Absence/Layoff Form (Form #44). This form is to be immediately submitted to the MEBP Administration Office. For further information, please scroll to next the section in this Manual called "Group Insurance and Disability Income Plan(s) - Unpaid Leave of Absence or Layoff".
Pension Plan – Leave of Absence (Form #43) (is to be submitted to the MEBP office within 30 days of the Member’s return to work from a leave of absence. Further information below.
Pension Plan – Leave of Absence
Summary:
Pension Plan contributions cease when a Member is on an unpaid Leave of Absence or Layoff. Pension Plan contributions immediately resume when the Member returns to active employment.
If the Member was on an unpaid Leave of Absence, the Pension Plan – Leave of Absence (Form #43) must be submitted to the MEBP Administration Office within 30 days of the Member’s return to work. This form is not required to be completed if the leave is due to layoff.
The Member has the option under the Leave of Absence provision to apply to purchase missed pensionable service during a period when they were on an approved, unpaid Leave of Absence (LOA). To be eligible to purchase this service at this time or in the future, the MEBP Administration Office must receive a completed Pension Plan - Leave of Absence Form within 30 days of the Member returning to work from their LOA even if the employee requests not to purchase the missed service.
Refer to Pension Service Buyback section of this manual for additional details.
Form #43 is not required to be completed for a leave due to layoff as a Member who is away from work due to layoff is not eligible to purchase pensionable service for the layoff period.
Leave period greater than 54 weeks - Members who are away from work for a period greater than 54 weeks and do not purchase missed service under the Pension Plan, will not receive qualifying service for the leave period. This may affect the calculation of the Member's eligibility for an unreduced pension retirement date.
Completing the Pension Plan Leave of Absence or Layoff Form (Form #43)
Form #43 - PENSION PLAN – LEAVE OF ABSENCE FORM
Leave of Absence of Layoff Form (Form 43) must be submitted to the MEBP Administration Office within 30 days of the employee’s return to work from an unpaid Leave of Absence (LOA). This form is not required to be completed if the leave is due to layoff.
Section 1 – Employer Verification:
To be completed by the Employer.
Employer Number: Enter the Employer number assigned to you by MEBP. It is used for identification purposes.
Employer Name: Enter the name of Employer
Name of Employee: Enter the name of Employee
Date of Birth: Enter the Employee’s date of birth
Last day worked: Enter the last day worked prior to LOA.
Return to work date: Enter the date the Employee’s LOA ended.
Pay Period End Date: Enter the end date of the last pay period the employee made a pension plan contribution prior to LOA.
Year to date pensionable earnings: Enter the Employee’s Year Date Pensionable Earnings at the Pay Period End Date stated on the form.
Type of Unpaid approved leave: check the applicable type of leave.
Section 2 – Employees Options and Signature.
To be completed by the Employee.
The Employee selects either option A or B.
If Option A is elected, upon receipt of this form, MEBP will provide a statement to the Employee indicating the cost of the purchase the missed service period, based on the Employee's pensionable salary, pensionable service and pension contribution rates in effect at the start of the approved leave. The Employee is under no obligation to purchase the service until they receive the cost information from MEBP.
If Option B is elected, they may apply to purchase this missed service at a later date. However, the cost to purchase this service at a later date will be actuarially determined using the rate of pay in effect when the application for buyback is made. Date and Signature: The Employee is required to date and sign this form.
Section 3 – Payroll Information:
Provide the following information, if the Employee has elected Option A:
Employment Type: check the Employee’s status in effect at the LOA start date
Employee’s Hourly Rate: indicate the rate of in effect at the LOA start date.
Employee was paid: indicate the frequency the Employee was being paid.
Annual Base Hours: indicate the Employee’s Base Hours in effect at the LOA start date.
Current Year Pay Period Start Date: enter the 1st day of the 1st pay period of the year of the LOA.
Pensionable Earnings during leave: Advise if the Employee received any pensionable earnings during the leave of absence and if yes, provide details.
EMPLOYER MUST DATE AND SIGN THIS FORM
IMPORTANT: A completed Form 43 MUST be completed and submitted with MEBP within 30 days after the Employee has returned from the leave in order for the Employee to be eligible to purchase (buyback) this service now or at a future date.
Members who are away from work for a period greater than 54 weeks and do not purchase missed service under the Pension Plan, will not receive qualifying service for the leave period. This may affect the date they can retire early with an unreduced pension benefit.
Refer to the Pensionable Service Buyback section of this Manual for additional Information.