Pawternity leave in Canada

Canadian company introduces pawternity leave

In an effort to find and retain talent, some employers in Canada are offering unique benefits.

According to CBC News, communications agency Talk Shop Media recently introduced pawternity leave for its employees.

“We want to make sure that we were acknowledging the fact that families these days come in many different forms and shapes and sizes, and that includes and is extended now, often, to our family members with four legs,” said Katie Stevens, managing partner at Talk Shop Media.

What is pawternity leave?

Pawternity, or pawrental leave, is a benefit that allows employees to take time off work to spend time with their new pet.

Animals, such as cats and dogs, can become restless and stressed if they are immediately left alone in an unfamiliar environment.

Pawternity leave gives staff an opportunity to train their “furbaby” and help them adjust to their new home.

Is pawternity leave a government legislated leave?

Pawternity leave hasn’t been legislated at the federal or provincial levels of government in Canada.

As a result, it isn’t a job-protected leave like maternity and parental leave.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what you need to know about maternity and parental leave on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

How long can pawternity leave be?

The length of the pawternity leave is up to the employer. The CBC reports that Talk Shop Media currently provides up to three days of paid leave for its pawternity benefit.

If employees at the communications agency need more time with their new family member, they also have access to two additional days of unpaid leave.

However, Wendy Giuffre, president of Wendy Ellen Inc., tells the CBC that she has seen pawternity leaves “typically between two- and four-weeks long — just long enough to house train the [pet] and get in some bonding.”

SEE ALSO
• Paid sick days in Ontario: Your rights
• What employees in B.C. need to know about paid sick days
• Sick notes in Alberta: Employee rights

Is It the Same As Paternity Leave?

No, pawternity leave and paternity leave are two different types of leave in Canada. Pawternity leave is when you take time off to bond with a new pet, while paternity leave is spent with your newborn or newly adopted child. Read our comprehensive guides for more information about paternity leave in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Can I get paid time off work if my employer doesn’t offer pawternity leave?

In Canada, employers aren’t legally obligated to provide non-unionized staff with paid or unpaid time off work so that they can train their new pet and bond with them.

Companies, such as Talk Shop Media, are choosing to provide staff with paid and unpaid leave as part of their pawternity benefit.

If your employer doesn’t offer pawternity leave, and refuses to give you paid or unpaid time off work, it’s very likely that you will have to use your vacation days or personal days to spend time with your new pet.

SEE ALSO
• Vacation pay in Ontario: Your rights
• Employment lawyer on implementing paid sick day programs

Can my employer punish me for requesting pawternity leave?

The short answer is no. If you ask for time off to train your new pet and bond with them, your employer can’t make significant adjustments to the terms of your employment to punish you.

Non-unionized workers in Canada don’t have to accept negative changes to their job, such as a demotion, longer shifts, or reduced pay. These types of modifications are illegal.

If substantial adjustments are made to the terms of your employment without your consent, the law allows you to resign and pursue full severance, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, through a constructive dismissal claim.

However, you shouldn’t quit your job before speaking with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

We can confirm that you have been constructively dismissed, assess your legal options, and help you secure the compensation you are legally entitled to.

SEE ALSO
• Can your employer make changes to your job in Ontario?
• Changes to your employment in B.C.
• What happens when your job is changed in Alberta
• Wrongful Dismissal: What employees need to know

My employer is pressuring me to quit after requesting pawternity leave, what should I do?

Employers can’t pressure or force non-unionized workers in Canada to resign.

If your boss is influencing you to step down, document their attempts. Keep any letters, emails, or text messages that show how your employer is pressuring you to quit.

In the event that you are forced to resign, contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. It’s very likely that you can treat it as a constructive dismissal and pursue full severance pay.

Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages associated with the end of your employment.

LEARN MORE
• Do I get severance if I quit?
• How to calculate severance pay

Can I be fired for requesting pawternity leave?

Since pawternity leave isn’t a job-protected leave for federally or provincially regulated employees, your company can fire you if you ask for time off to train your new pet and bond with them.

This is called a termination without cause. In Canada, employers can let non-unionized workers go for any reason, as long as:

• They are provided full severance pay
• The reasons for their dismissal aren’t discriminatory

However, it’s very unlikely that your company would be able to fire you for cause in this situation, which would mean no severance package or access to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

Considered the “capital punishment” of employment law, this type of dismissal is reserved for the worst kinds of workplace offences, such as serious insubordination, theft or assault.

Not only does your employer have to prove progressive disciplinary measures were applied, but that a lesser punishment wouldn’t be acceptable, which is very hard to do.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Severance packages in Ontario
• Understanding severance pay in Alberta
• Severance entitlements in B.C.

Lost your job? Speak with an employment lawyer

If you are fired or let go after requesting pawternity leave, or for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

We can review your situation, enforce your rights, and ensure that you receive the compensation you are legally entitled to.