RADAR, Issue 06, October 2020
RADAR, Issue 06, October 2020
The Life Events team is here for YOU!
Do you have questions about the impact milestone life events will have on pay and benefits? The Life Events team is here for you and can guide you through the processes.
The team’s mandate is simple: they’re here to provide personalized, one-on-one advice and guidance. From extended sick leave to maternity leave to retirement and other major events in your life – the Life Events team can help.
The dedicated advisors will help you navigate processes, help you complete the appropriate forms, and they will guide you through the submission of paperwork to the Public Service Pay Centre or the Pension Centre.
Contact the team by emailing MyPay with “Life Events” in the subject line.
“Thank you so much [Life Events team] for all of your guidance and patience with my many questions. You have been invaluable, and I can’t imagine trying to figure this process out without you! Merci beaucoup” - a DFO employee
MANAGER’S CORNER
Student hiring for the winter term
Planning on hiring a student in the new year? Start you search now!
Remember that HR requires that letters of offer be sent to managers 17 business days in advance of the start date with the expectation that all signed documents be returned within 2 business days.
For more information on student hiring, please visit the DFO / CCG Staffing Placemat.
How can you obtain your pay stubs if you don't have access to Phoenix?
Epost is a Web platform that allows employees who do not have access to Phoenix Self-Service, such as seagoing personnel and employees on extended periods of leave, to access their comprehensive paystubs and tax documents.
Epost allows you to receive, view and manage your pay stubs, tax slips, bills and many other documents securely online at www.epost.ca.
Employees without network access during COVID-19 can also request epost.
In case you missed it:
- Verify and update your address in PeopleSoft before the end of November
- Phoenix training for managers: new sessions available
Pay stub tip #5:
Why does my take-home pay vary so much through the year? Find out!
Maternity and Parental Leave
The birth or adoption of a child is an exciting time. Managing your pay during this time doesn’t need to be stressful. It is a complicated process, but your Life Events advisor is here to guide you through, so that you can concentrate on your new family.
1. MATERNITY AND PARENTAL LEAVE
Maternity leave is unpaid leave that allows employees time for pregnancy, childbirth and post-childbirth phases.
Parental leave is unpaid leave that allows an employee time to care for their newly born or adopted child.
2. LEAVE ALLOWANCES
If you will receive EI or QPIP benefits, you may be eligible for a maternity or parental allowance that “tops up” the EI/QPIP benefits.
Contact your Life Events advisor at least three months before your planned leave to determine your eligibility.
3. CHOOSING YOUR DATE
The day you choose to start your leave has an impact on the EI or QPIP benefits and the maternity/parental allowance.
Contact the Life Events team for assistance when planning your leave, ideally three months in advance of the intended leave.
4. BEFORE YOU LEAVE
During your maternity/parental leave, you will no longer have access ot the CWA applications, including Phoenix, or your email.
Ensure your Life Events advisor has your personal email and register for epost so that you can continue to have access to your pay stubs and tax documents.
5. ONCE YOUR BUNDLE OF JOY HAS ARRIVED
Share the good news with your Life Events advisor. He or she will help you change your leave start date, if necessary, and to provide a copy of the birth certificate, adoption certificate or proof of guardianship to the Pay Centre.
6. DURING YOUR LEAVE
You will need to submit your EI or QPIP payment statement once approved and again on return from leave. Your Life Events advisor will guide you through this process to avoid interruption of your maternity/parental top-up benefits.
7. INSURANCE AND PENSION PLANS
Update your Public Service Health Care Plan (SunLife Health Insurance) coverage and pension plan to include your new addition. Your Life Events Advisor can provide you with advice on your benefits during and following your period of leave.
8. TIME TO RETURN TO WORK
When you accept maternity or parental top ups, you agree to return to work for a certain period of time, defined in your collective agreement.
Speak with your Life Events advisor for details.
9. WELCOME BACK!
On the day of your return, your manager must notify the Pay Centre to restart your pay by sending a PAR to the Trusted Source. Inform your Life Events advisor of your expected date of return. They can help ensure your pay is restarted.
Once you are back
After returning to work, you may have to reimburse shortfalls in your contributions to Disability Insurance (DI), Pension and Supplementary Death Benefits (SDB) programs that occurred while you were on leave. For information about how your leave without pay will affect your pension and benefits, please refer to the Leave without pay information package and the Public service group insurance benefit plans. For pension-related questions you can contact the Pension Centre. Your Life Events advisor will guide you through this process.