Determining Eligibility for Leave

3-month rule

An employee is accorded the benefits of collective bargaining once a contractual agreement is signed that ensures at least three months of employment or an existing agreement is extended to reach a cumulative of three months or more of continuous employment.

Eligibility - Examples:

1. Initial appointment - 3 months or more
   
   First contract - April 1 to July 31
   
   The employee becomes eligible for paid leave immediately upon appointment (April 1) since initial contract provides for at least three months of employment.
   
   
2. Initial appointment - under 3 months
   
   First contract - April 1 to May 31
   Second contract - June 1 to August 31
   
   The employee becomes eligible for paid leave on June 1, since the second contract results in a total period of employment exceeding three months.
   
   
3. Initial appointment – under 3 months and extension less than 3 months
   
   First contract - April 1 to May 31
   Second contract - June 1 to July 31
   
   

   The employee becomes eligible for paid leave on July 1, since the employee has reached at this date three months of continuous employment.