How does getting laid off affect maternity leave?

Aimee - posted on 01/12/2013

It looks as if alot of people here are assuming that Rebecca lives in the same region as they do. Your local office is the only one that can correctly answer this. Employers in Ontario certainly do not pay a private company to pay you benefits for Mat leave. All maternity leaves in Ontario are handled through the provincial government. However, some companies do have an added benefit package that will pay you the difference in a lump sum...but usually only once you've returned to work.

Lacye - posted on 10/24/2012

If you are on maternity leave, they are not supposed to be laid off at the job. Maternity leave is medical and anything medical they have to hold for you until you return.

Laura - posted on 10/24/2012

I was wondering the same thing kind of but my question is this I live in Alberta and I was wodnering if I were to be laid off because of shortage of work for me can I still collect Maternity Leave when its time for me to go on Maternity Leave right now I am 17 weeks pregnant so I was just wondering,

Debbie - posted on 03/02/2009

I work in human resources and if you are currently on maternity leave then it will continue (as your maternity leave benefits are based on hours you have already worked).  The question is whether or not you are entitled to employment benefits once your maternity is over.  You most likely aren't as it would be based on the hours you worked during the past year (which would be none as you have been on maternity leave).  Best of luck.

Emily - posted on 03/02/2009

Ok the way unemployment works is you have to be able to work to collect unemployment, so if you are on maternity leave you are considered disabeled and cannot collect unemployment.  However you should be able to keep getting maternity leave as it is uaually paid through a third party that your company pays.  When your maternity leave runs out then you will be able to start collecting unemployment.  I would call your HR to find out exactally how they handel STD (short term disability) cases though, just to make sure.  I am currently also laid off, though mine is temporary (for now) as is my husband.  He is on LTD(long term disability) and I know if our layoff becomes permanant, he will continue to collect disability payments because they actually come from a third party.  Hope this helps.

Bev - posted on 03/02/2009

If I were you I would contact your local employment office. You could also go on their website. Google "mat leave question in ontario" Click on Maternity leave and it should take you right to that page. Not a stupid question at all. Money gets tight and you've paid into it while working so you should be entitled. I would go after it! Good luck!

Rebecca - posted on 03/02/2009

Yes Im on maternity leave now and I think its permanently. The company has been doing alot of layoffs lately. I was just hoping I wouldnt be one of them. lol

Emily - posted on 03/02/2009

Are you currently on maternity leave now and was the layoff temporary or permanant?  It makes a difference...