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FAQ for Teachers during COVID-19

Covid 19 Faq Eng

Contract Teachers

If seconded, you will follow the direction of the organization to which you are seconded. 

School closures as a result of the pandemic have not changed the considerations teachers should take into account when asked to tutor students:

  • You do not tutor your own students (for pay).
  • You should be very careful in regards to tutoring students in your school (for pay).

Please contact your District, if you have questions or are unsure if you are in a possible conflict of interest.

Yes. However, your first obligation remains to your employer and you must be available to work during regular hours.

Yes. However, your first obligation remains to your employer and you must be available to work during regular hours.

Yes, you will be compensated during the school closure.

Yes.  It is also important to note that leaves previously approved by the Employer cannot be cancelled unless a mutual agreement has been reached with the teacher.

D contract teachers are paid to the end of their existing contract. The D contract teacher will be paid to April 3rd as originally agreed. As there has been no additional contract commitment beyond that date, the contract will end as planned.

Supply Teachers

No, this closure will not constitute a break in service.

Whether an employee is paid depends on the employment commitment made by the Employer.  Employees will be paid until the end of this commitment. 

Yes, and if you should have questions regarding Employment Insurance (EI), we suggest that you contact Service Canada directly for answers. A distinct phone line has been established for questions related to COVID-19: 1-833-381-2725. You can also go online at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

You may offer your tutoring services, however, please contact the District, if you have questions or are unsure if you are in a possible conflict of interest.

Educational and Deferred Salary Leaves

If you are a NBTA member, please contact Larry Jamieson (larry.jamieson@nbta.ca), or if you are a member of the AEFNB please contact Marcel Larocque (marcel.larocque@aefnb.ca).

If you are a NBTA member, please contact Larry Jamieson (larry.jamieson@nbta.ca), or if you are a member of the AEFNB please contact Marcel Larocque (marcel.larocque@aefnb.ca).

Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leaves

Yes, teachers who were scheduled to return to work during the closure will be returned to regular teacher pay from the date they were scheduled to return to work. Teachers in this situation are advised to contact their district to confirm their return to work date.

Sick Leave or Underlying Medical Condition

Effective Monday, March 30, 2020, teachers who cannot report to work due to illness will use sick leave in accordance with the NBTF collective agreement. If your current sick leave is scheduled to conclude during the closure period and you are deemed able to return to work, you will receive your regular pay.

These will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Please speak with your supervisor.

No, teachers will not lose a sick day if the school was closed on the day of the pre-booked medical appointment. However, the NBTF strongly encourages all teachers to keep track of all their request for absences to ensure accuracy in their sick leave.

Other Leaves

Employees requesting to cancel pre-scheduled leaves covering all or part of the next two weeks due to travel restrictions are asked to contact the employer to discuss potential cancellation. 

Public Health Canada has advised against travel. The NBTF does not have the authority to restrict the personal travel of staff. However, an individual does so at their own risk.

Please refer to Health Canada Travel Advisory: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

School Closures and Teachers’ Responsibilities

No, you are not to return to your school until directed by the Employer.

Schools have been closed by the Employer as a result of the pandemic. You are not to enter the school unless you have received permission from your school principal.

Principals and vice-principals have been deemed essential, and as a result, are expected to be available to work remotely during the school closure to deal with issues arising from the operations of the school building. For example: email, telephone, online meetings if requested by the Superintendent.

All fundraising and extra-curricular activities have been cancelled until further notice.

EECD has confirmed that the school year will not be extended.

All work-related international and out-of-province travel have been cancelled.  Employees who travel do so at their own risk. Please see the response above.

Part I: Central Government Employees (Civil Servants: Departments of Transportation, Social Development, Health…)
Part II: School District Employees
Part III: Health System Employees
Part IV: Crown Corporations Employees

Yes. However, there is an understanding that some teachers will need flexibility in their schedule because of family responsibilities.

Yes. However, if you believe that the work is likely to endanger your health or safety, you will have to provide supporting information and the request will be evaluated by your employer and if needed by WorkSafe NB.

Teachers must remain available during the normal working hours of their school. However, teachers may need flexibility regarding their hours of availability given their current family responsibilities (e.g. childcare, medical appointments, elder care). If the teacher cannot be available at certain times of the day, they should speak with their principal in order to find a solution. 

It should be noted that flexibility will not be granted during the normal working hours for teachers seeking time to conduct personal leisure activities or work for a different employer.  

No, teachers are under no obligation to video record themselves to share with students or parents.

If this FAQ does not answer your question, please do not hesitate to contact the NBTF by email at nbtf-fenb@nbtffenb.ca

*Note: Supply teachers include local permit teachers.

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