Know Your Collective Agreement: Special Leave
This week, I want to talk about Section 34 (Special Leave). I find that most members are comfortable with General and Casual Illness Leave (Sections 22 & 23), but the SAFA Office often gets questions about the Special Leave types. First thing to know is there is a total of 12 days available to you – 2 Personal Days plus 10 Special Leave days each year. Personal Days and Special Leave re-set on January 1st of each year, so your balances have just been renewed. (Casual and General Illness Leaves reset on the anniversary of your hire date.)
Personal Days (S34.04)
Personal Leave/Personal Days are 2 days off per calendar year that do not require you to declare a reason. Personal Leave may require more than 2 weeks notice to your manager.
Special Leave (S34.01-03)
Special Leave is 10 days off, in addition to your personal days.It is confusing because it’s a collection of leave types that are fit within that maximum of 10 days:
Family Illness Leave
“My mom has cancer, and I need to go to appointments to arrange her care. Can I take time off?”
“My baby is sick and can’t go to daycare for the next couple of days. Can I stay home?”
“My spouse has a procedure scheduled, and I have to be at the hospital. I don’t want to take a vacation day – is there leave for this?”
Each of these scenarios qualify for Family Illness Leave, which is available when you need to care for children, stepchildren, grandparents, parents, stepparents, legal guardian, and your spouse/common-law partner. If you have to travel long distances to be with your ill family member, you can also submit that time as special leave.
Bereavement Leave
Bereavement Leave is available in the event of a death of your spouse/common-law partner, or you/your partner’s parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, child, grandchild, guardian, sibling, or the spouse/partner of any of these individuals. If you have to travel long distances for bereavement, you can also submit that time as special leave.
Managing Life Leave
In addition to illness and bereavement, there are other situations that allow you to apply for time off under Special Leave. The Collective Agreement calls this “Managing Life” events and allows up to 2 days per category. Review S34.02 for details and limitations of application for these events.
These “Managing Life” events include:
- Moving your household & effects
- Disaster conditions (fire, flood, etc.) that cause a “critical condition” which requires your attendance.
- Being present at the birth or adoption proceedings of your child
- Attending a funeral as a mourner or pallbearer
- Administration of an estate
- Attending a formal hearing to become a Canadian citizen
Leave to Write Exams
Special Leave can also be used to write an exam for a course that has been approved by the Employer. The length of the leave shall be decided between the employee and employer.A two-week notice may be required for leave in this category.
If you have specific questions about Special Leave, contact the Human Resources team or reach out to the SAFA Office – we are always here to help you.
In Solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
SAFA Labour Relations Officer
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Only One Week to T-Shirt Day
On January 28th, join your friends and colleagues in wearing your blue SAFA t-shirt on campus! After work, SAFA will be hosting a social event to celebrate our members.
Still need to pick up your t-shirt? Stop by the SAFA Office before next Tuesday. You can also pick up a SAFA Raven pin!
SAFA SOCIAL – Show Your Colours
Where: Loco Lou’s, 1324 16th Ave NW, Calgary
When: January 28th, 4:00pm-7:30pm
This member-only event will include free food and 2 drink tickets per attendee. Cash bar and complimentary taxi chits will be available at the event.
Curious about the Raven? This article from last fall explains the significance of our mascot.
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ACIFA Conference Deadlines Fast Approaching
The 2025 ACIFA Conference will be held May 11-14, 2025, in Banff Springs, Alberta. SAFA will subsidize up to 30 members to attend and spots are filling up! If you’d like more information about that process, please see the attached documents, and apply soon.
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The call for ACIFA Conference session proposals is open until January 21, 2025. The conference theme is “Grow with Academic Integrity”, and detailed descriptions of the theme and strands can be found on the conference website.