What happens when I take a leave of absence?

PEBT Benefits may be continued during a leave of absence. Your School District Benefits Administrator will provide you with details about which benefits can be continued and for how long.

If you decide to take a leave of absence of more than 31 days, the following steps must be taken:

  • You must complete the Notice of Leave Form for an upcoming leave of absence of more than 31 days, indicating the type of leave you are taking (i.e. Maternity Leave, Parental Leave or other paid or unpaid leave). Please note that if your leave from work is due to sickness or disability, this form is not required, but you should refer to the Disability FAQ section for information about benefits while you are disabled.
  • The School District Benefits Administrator sends the completed Notice of Leave Form to Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) and files it in the member’s personnel file. Please ensure the form is fully completed, including ID and group number.
  • If you are waiving benefit coverage while on a leave of absence you must also complete and sign a Waiver of Coverage Form and return to your School District Benefits Administrator.
  • The School District Benefits Administrator will file the Notice of Leave Form and Waiver of Coverage Form (if applicable) in the employee’s personnel file.

The following information outlines the continuation of the PEBT Benefits Program coverage policies. For more details, refer to your Collective Agreement and/or contact your School District Benefits Administrator.

DISABILITY BENEFITS DURING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

If disability benefits continue while you are on an approved leave of absence and you become disabled during the leave, the elimination period, as outlined in the My Benefits section of this website, will be deemed to commence on the date the member is scheduled to return to Active Employment, provided the member is still disabled and still eligible for LTD benefits.

MATERNITY, PARENTAL (INCLUDING ADOPTION) AND EI COMPASSIONATE CARE LEAVES IN CANADA

Coverage may be continued during a Maternity, Parental or EI Compassionate Care Leave, but not more than the period required under the relevant legislation. Continuation of coverage beyond the legislated time period requires Insurer approval. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information if you require an extension of coverage past the legislated time period allowed.

The Core LTD Plan will be extended while you are on Maternity Leave or Parental (including Adoption) Leave.

STRIKE OR LOCK-OUTS

Coverage may be continued during strike or lock-out, but not for periods longer than required under the relevant legislation or in school board policy and is subject to Insurer approval. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information.

LAY-OFF

Coverage may or may not be continued during lay off as described in the district’s Collective Agreement or school board policy and is subject to Insurer approval. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information.

SEVERANCE

Members offered severance may or may not be eligible for continuation of coverage depending on the Collective Agreement or school district policy and must receive prior approval from the Insurers before coverage extension is communicated to the member. The Insurers will consider each situation on a case-by-case basis.

RETIREMENT

Members who take a leave of absence immediately before retirement may or may not be eligible for continuation of coverage depending on the Collective Agreement or school district policy and must receive prior approval from Insurers before coverage extension is communicated to the member.

SECONDMENTS, ELECTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, LEAVES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE OR UNION LEAVES

Coverage may or may not be continued during secondments, elections, appointments, leaves for public office or union leaves as described in the district’s Collective Agreement or in school board policy. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information.

UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Coverage for certain benefits may or may not be continued during unpaid leaves of absence as described in the district’s Collective Agreement or school board policy. However, LTD cannot be continued for any unpaid leave of absence that exceeds 31 days. Following an unpaid leave of absence of more than 31 days, your LTD coverage will be reinstated only after you return to work, and complete the waiting period of 3 consecutive months of active employment. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information.