Special Education Leave
What is it?
This option provides you with the opportunity to take time away from work to pursue a course of study at the high school, college or university level. While participating in this option, you will also receive some financial assistance from the Corporation in the form of an educational allowance.
For how long?
Your program of study will have a minimum duration of eight (8) months and a maximum of four (4) years.
How is the allowance determined?
As noted above, you would be eligible to receive an allowance as part of this option. The allowance will be based on your academic workload.
The following table provides a framework for determining the education allowance.
| No. of courses per semester | Hours per week | Annual Allowance (% of basic salary) |
| 4 | 12 | 25 % |
| 3 | 9 | 18 % |
| 2 | 6 | 12 % |
| 1 | 3 | 6 % |
Do I have to provide any documents prior to receiving the allowance?
The payment of the annual allowance, provided in two installments, will be subject to the following:
First Installment: conditional upon acceptance of your request for this option and the provision of: the name of the accredited school, college or university; the course of study; and confirmation of attendance at an educational institution.
Second Installment: conditional upon the successful completion of the previous semester. In order to receive your second installment of the allowance, you are requested to provide AccessHR with:
- a transcript of your grades; and
- confirmation of your continued attendance at the educational institution.
Prior to the commencement of each subsequent academic school year, you will need to complete the « Continuation of the Special Education Leave » form in addition to providing a transcript of your grades and confirmation of your continued attendance at the educational institution.
The following provides an example of how Special Education Leave works.
Susan’s request for the Special Education Leave option was approved by her Director. Susan will be taking a three year program at her local college.
During her first term of study, Susan undertook 4 courses and received 12.5% of her education allowance.
Susan will also be taking 4 courses during her second semester. Prior to receiving the second installment of her allowance of 12.5%, Susan submitted to AccessHR a transcript of her grades for the previous semester as well as confirmation of her continued attendance at the college.
Before starting her second and third school year, Susan completed the « Continuation of the Special Education Leave » form and provided a complete transcript of her grades as well as confirmation of her continued attendance at the college to AccessHR.
Allowance paid when?
The allowance payment, issued through two direct deposits to the financial institution of your choice, will be made in September and January. These lump sum payments will be subject to statutory deductions.
Can I work elsewhere?
You are permitted to work elsewhere during your leave, provided you do not work for Canada Post through a third party, a subsidiary or a competitor of Canada Post.
What about my benefit coverage? |
|
|---|---|
| Pension | Contributions: first 3 consecutive months – your share is mandatory, after 3 consecutive months – two times your share, optional |
| Basic Life Insurance (BLIP) | Coverage: yes. Premiums: your share plus corporate share from the first month of leave. |
| Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD) or Disability Insurance (DI) | Coverage: yes. Premiums: your share plus corporate share from the first month of leave. |
| Life and Accident Insurance (LAIP) (for Management/Exempt employees only) | Coverage: yes. Premiums: your share (Employee paid). |
| Extended Health Care Plan (EHCP) | Coverage: yes. Premiums: your share plus corporate share from first month of leave. |
| Vision/Hearing & Dental Care | No coverage. |
| Provincial Health Care (BC and Alberta only) | You must pay your share plus corporate share directly to the province. |
| Vacation and Sick Leave | No accumulation or use during leave. |
How are the premiums paid?Premiums will be recovered upon return to work, over a period equal to two times the period of absence. You must already be a member of the above benefit plans in order to have coverage under this program. This chart applies only to the Work Options Program. |
|
Return to work
If the duration of the leave is less than one year, you will return to your position.
Additional Information
During the approved period of leave, you shall be eligible only for those benefits for which you already have coverage, in accordance with your conditions of employment or collective agreement.
During the approved leave, you may accept employment outside the Corporation provided such employment:
- is not with any third party, subsidiary or affiliated company; and,
- meets CPC Conflict of Interest guidelines or of any subsidiary or affiliated company. Such outside employment must not be with a competitor.
The education allowance will be based on your academic workload to a maximum of 25% of your regular pay.
If you do not successfully complete a course, you must repay the amount of the allowance corresponding to that course.
Questions and Answers
Can I apply for tuition reimbursement?
No, you are eligible for the education allowance only.
I am considering a course that lasts only three months. Will this course qualify for the Special Education Leave option?
No. The minimum duration of this option is 8 months.
Will I be reimbursed for books?
No. The education allowance is the only payment available.
What happens if I have approval for this leave but I am not accepted by the school or university?
Your request for this leave is conditional upon your acceptance at the educational institution.
My chosen program of study does not follow the “traditional” school semesters of September to December and January to April. Can I still apply for this option?
Yes. However, you will be required to provide, in addition to the documents outlined in the section entitled “Do I have to provide any documents prior to receiving the allowance?”, information describing the unique features of your chosen program of study. This information will be required to assist in the determination of the annual education allowance.
The Corporation says that I will return to my position after my leave of absence. Does this assure me that my job is guaranteed upon my return?
If the period of leave is less than one year, you will return to your position. However, you should be aware that during your absence, reorganization or downsizing activities may have occurred. Should your position be affected by such activities, your situation will be dealt with in accordance with the then current policy of the Corporation. Please note that this kind of situation may also happen while you’re at work; being on leave does not influence whether such activities will affect your position.