Injury-on-Duty Leave

The Government of Canada provides benefits to employees under the Government Employees Compensation Act, administered through Provincial or Territorial Workers' Compensation Boards (WCB).  Employees and managers should refer to Road Map: Worker's Compensation for applicable form and reporting requirements.

ESDC's Disability Management supports employees and managers when a work-related illness or injury occurs. For assistance, managers should submit an HR Portal General Request, using the category Disability Management and applicable sub-category.

Eligibility for injury-on-duty leave is pursuant to the terms and conditions of employment, relevant collective agreement and where a provincial Workers' Compensation Board claim has been approved for a work-related illness or injury rendering the employee unable to perform their duties due to:

  • Personal injury accidentally incurred in the performance of employee's duties and not caused by willful misconduct;
  • Sickness resulting from the nature of the employee's employment;
  • Exposure to hazardous conditions during the course of the employee's employment.

The employee will continue to receive their full normal pay for such reasonable period as the employer determines as long as they have sufficient sick leave credits in their balance.

The employee must utilize available sick leave credits while they await a decision on their Workers' Compensation Board claim. In situations where an employee does not have enough sick leave credits to cover their absence, they must either:

  • Request an advance of sick leave credits
  • Request sick leave without pay
  • Request compensatory time or other leave credits

Pursuant to the Government Employees Compensation Act and upon notification of an approved claim, any leave taken during the approved disability period will be converted to injury-on-duty leave.

The total period of injury-on-duty leave should not exceed 130 working days.  Managers should consult with Disability Management if an extension to the leave period is required.

  • How to Request Injury on Duty Leave
    Employee Responsibilities

    For step-by-step instructions on requesting full, partial or half days, refer to the employee procedures found in the PSGuide - myEMS (PeopleSoft).

    1. While you await the decision on your Workers' Compensation claim, you should review your leave balances in myEMS (PeopleSoft) to ensure you have sufficient credits to cover your absence.

      Employee Self Service > Time > Absence Balances

    2. Create your absence request(s) using the drop-down menu to select the applicable type.

      Employee Self Service > Time > Request Absence

    3. When you receive a Workers' Compensation claim approval letter, you need to complete and sign a Leave application and absence report (GC 178) to request Injury on Duty (Code 660, Other Paid Leave) leave for the disability period approved in your benefit letter.

      Note: As there is only one row available per leave code, you must complete separate forms for each period. For clarity, partial days should always be submitted on a separate form.

    4. Submit the completed GC178 and a copy of your Workers' Compensation letter to your Manager for approval and submission for processing.
    Manager/Section 34 Manager Responsibilities

    For step-by-step instructions, refer to the manager procedures found in the PSGuide - myEMS (PeopleSoft).

    1. Approve your employee's leave request(s) in myEMS (PeopleSoft) while awaiting a decision on their Workers' Compensation claim.

      Manager Self Service > Approvals

    2. In situations where the employee does not have access to myEMS (PeopleSoft), the manager must enter the leave on the employee's behalf.

      Manager Self Service > Team Time > Request Absence

    3. After the employee provides proof of claim acceptance and the application for injury-on-duty leave, you must approve, sign the GC178 and open a request via the HRSC Portal:

      1. Section: I am a Manager…
      2. Select: « Pay-Related Action ».
      3. Category: Select « Occupational Health and Safety – Document Submission».
      4. Sub-Category: Select « Workers' Compensation – Leave Code Change ».
      5. Effective date: earliest date of the leave.
      6. Comments: Indicate that the employee's WCB claim is approved; request approved leave for the disability period be converted to injury-on-duty (Code 660) leave.
      7. Attach the completed GC178 and the WCB approval letter.
      8. Submit your request
  • Useful Links