“Huge Policy Gap”: Project Manager Fired During Parental Leave, Denied EI Benefits

What Happened?

A Montreal-based project manager is fighting back after losing her job 1 week before returning from parental leave and subsequently denied Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

“I just received a message in my [Service Canada] portal saying that my case is refused. I don’t have enough hours to qualify for EI payments,” Celia Johnston told CBC News.

“After a financially vulnerable year, when you’re on maternity leave, your income is cut significantly and once you’re laid off with no notice, there’s zero income coming in…[it feels like a major policy gap].”

While Johnston waits to hear back on her appeal, a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada claimed that several EI changes have been made to provide parents with more flexibility and support.

• SEE ALSO: Google Fires Pregnant Worker, Claims Human Rights Weren’t Violated

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Workplace Issue? Get Help Now

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