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Communiqué – Leaves and benefits for COVID-19 related situations

Communique Web 1

Leaves and benefits for COVID-19 related situations

 

The NBTF and the employer agreed on the type of leave to be taken related to COVID-19. The following are the different types of leaves that may apply according to the situation:

AnchorReassignment with pay of teachers who need to self-isolate during COVID-19 period

a) A teacher, who is required to remain at home due to self-isolation in relation to COVID-19, based on the criteria established by NB Public Health, will be reassigned home with pay for the period of self-isolation. Teachers must immediately notify their supervisor of their absence and its required length.

b) It is understood that a teacher who is directed by NB Public Health to self-isolate and is reassigned home with pay shall request to be tested for COVID-19 and follow Public Health advice.

c) If the test comes back negative, the teacher is expected to return to school in accordance with Public Health recommendations.  A teacher who is not feeling well, and is unable to return to school will be considered to be on sick leave. 

d) If the test comes back positive, the teacher shall use his/her sick leave until he/she is cleared by a health professional to return to school.

e) The teacher will be replaced and is not expected to be in charge of the classroom. However, while reassigned home with pay, it is understood that the teacher will be expected to work remotely as directed by their supervisor. Examples of remote work include preparation, marking, touching base with the supply teacher, engaging in student learning during the hours of instruction to the extent possible, professional development and other assigned duties as agreed between the teacher and the supervisor. 

Teachers who have already taken sick leave or a leave without pay due to COVID-19, the leaves will be changed and teachers will be paid for those days. 

AnchorLeaves to care for a child who needs to self-isolate during the COVID-19 period         


a) A teacher, who is required to remain at home with his/her child due to self-isolation related to COVID-19, and after making all reasonable efforts to make alternate childcare arrangements, will be permitted to use the following in this order:

  1. Family Responsibility Day (Article 32.07), if not already used;
  2. Maximum of three (3) days with pay (Article 32.03) per instance.
  3. Maximum of two (2) days with pay per instance of his/her sick credits.

*If both parents are teachers, only one parent at a time will be on leave. 

AnchorClarification for long-term supply

When a long term supply teacher is required to remain at home due to self-isolation or required to remain at home with his/her child due to self-isolation related to COVID-19, based on the criteria established by NB Public Health, there is deemed to be no break in service.

Important notes

  • It is understood that the employer will maintain the right to request appropriate medical information to justify these absences.
  • Teachers who must self-isolate because they travelled outside the scope of the travel bubble exemptions (as per mandatory order) for non-work-related reasons after travel advisory was put in place will use leave without pay. 

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)                                                       


We would also like to remind you that the Federal Government has implemented the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), which can be asked by teachers who, after having used all their sick leave and provisions indicated before, are caring for a child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care because they are at home for one of the following reasons:

  1. Their school, daycare, day program, or care facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19
  2. Their regular care services are unavailable due to COVID-19
  3. The person under your care is:
    • sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19;
    • at risk of serious health complications if they get COVID-19, as advised by a medical professional;
    • self-isolating due to COVID-19.

More details on the CRCB can be found HERE.

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