Pregnancy and Parental Leave - Members of Council Policy — full text

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PREGNANCY AND PARENTAL LEAVE - MEMBERS OF COUNCIL POLICY __________________________________________________________________________ TITLE: Pregnancy and Parental Leave - Members of Council Policy POLICY NO: POL-ADMIN-01-2019 APPROVAL DATE: February 25, 2019 EFFECTIVE DATE: February 25, 2019 _____________________________________________________________________________ PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on how the Township of West Lincoln addresses a member's pregnancy or parental leave in a manner that respects a member's statutory role as an elected representative. SCOPE: This Policy shall apply to members of Council. DEFINITIONS: Members of Council - means a member or members of the municipal Council of the Township of West Lincoln. Pregnancy and/or Parental Leave - means an absence of 20 consecutive weeks or less as a result of a member's pregnancy, the birth of a member's child or the adoption of a child by the member in accordance with Section 259 (1.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Members of Council are responsible for adhering to the parameters of this policy. COMPLIANCE: The Integrity Commissioner may investigate complaints against members related to this policy. POLICY REQUIREMENTS: Township Council supports a member of Council's right to pregnancy and/or parental leave in keeping with the following principles: 1. A member is elected to represent his or her constituents. 2. A member's pregnancy and/or parental leave does not require Council approval and his or her office cannot be declared vacant as a result of the leave. 3. A member will continue to receive communications from the Township as if the member were not on leave. 4. A member reserves the right to participate as an active member of Council at any time during his or her leave. 5. A member shall continue to receive all remuneration, reimbursements, and benefits afforded to members of Council. POL-ADMIN-01-2019 PREGNANCY AND PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY - MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Page 2 Where a member of Council will be absent due to a pregnancy and/or parental leave, the member shall provide written notice to the Township Clerk indicating the expected start and end dates. The Mayor may make temporary appointments to any committees, boards, task forces, etc. that are constituted by the Township of West Lincoln and where the member is the only member of Council on that body. Notwithstanding, at any point in time during a member's pregnancy or parental leave, the member may provide written notice to the Township Clerk of their intent to lift any of the temporary appointments to exercise their statutory role. The member shall provide written notice to the Township Clerk of any changes to their return date. POLICY MANAGEMENT: Staff are authorized and directed to take the necessary actions to give effect to this policy. The Township Clerk is delegated the authority to make administrative changes to this policy that may be required from time to time due to legislative changes.