What is not mentioned in the article is whether or not there was a valid, real, medical reason to support the request for the early mata. Sometimes what is not being said is as important/more important, than what is being said. I.E. draws folks into conclusions based on
perceptions rather than
facts. A fact in this case is the direction in QR & O WRT to maternity leave.
AFAIK, only a MO/Dr/BSurg (depending on length of medical leave required) could grant medical leave for valid, real medical reasons before the commencement of maternity leave as detailed in QR & O, Vol 1, Art 16.26(4). It
could be the individual tried to get on mata early thru the medical system, the medical professionals saw no real reason for it/didn't support that, so the mbr requested it thru her unit, which was also denied because the QR & O/CF Policy state when mata leave commences in normal circumstances (max 8 weeks from due date).
Quick look at our policy:
CF Leave Policy Manual, Section 8.3 Maternity and Parental Leave:
8.3.01 - Authoritative references
The policy guidance for maternity and parental leave benefits is pursuant to:
•
QR&O 16.26, Maternity Leave;
• QR&O 16.27, Parental Leave;
• QR&O 9.09, Exemption From Duty and Training – Maternity Purposes
• QR&O 9.10, Exemption From Duty and Training – Parental Purposes
• CBI 205.461, Maternity and Parental Allowances;
• DAOD 5001-2, Maternity and Parental Benefits; and
• A-PM-245-001/FP-011 Chapter 17 Maternity and Parental Benefits Administration.
Internet link and content of QR & O directive from the CF Leave Policy Manual (highlighted in yellow, 9.09 does not apply as mbr was on Cl B) on maternity leave is below for info:
http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/qro-orf/vol-01/doc/chapter-chapitre-016.pdf
16.26 – MATERNITY LEAVE
(1) (Application) This article applies to an officer or non-commissioned member of the Regular Force or the Reserve Force on Class “B” or “C” Reserve Service.
(2) (Definition) In this article, "maternity leave" means a period of leave without pay and allowances granted to an officer or non-commissioned member for maternity purposes.(20 July 2006)
(3) (Eligibility) An officer or non-commissioned member who has been pregnant for at least 19 weeks is entitled, on request, to maternity leave for a period of up to the sum of the applicable periods of entitlement referred to in CBI subparagraph 205.461(4)(a) (Maternity and Parental Allowances) and paragraph 205.461(7). (20 July 2006)
(4) (Start and End of Period)
Subject to paragraphs (5), (7) and (8.), the period of maternity leave shall not start more than 8 weeks before the expected date of birth and shall end not later than 18 weeks after the date of the end of the pregnancy. (20 July 2006)
(5) (Extension) The end date of the period of maternity leave shall be extended by any of the following periods:
(20 July 2006)
(a) any period during which one or more new-born children are hospitalized, if the officer or non-commissioned member has not yet started the period of the maternity leave; and (20 July 2006)
(b) any period during which the officer or non-commissioned member, having started but not ended the period of the maternity leave, returns to duty while one or more new-born children are hospitalized. (20 July 2006)
(6) (Military Requirements) When an officer or non-commissioned member has started but not ended maternity leave, a commanding officer may direct that the member return to duty because of imperative military requirements.
(7) (Maternity Benefits Extended) If a period of maternity benefits received under the Employment Insurance Act, or a provincial law or scheme, is extended in accordance with the Employment Insurance Act or the provincial law or scheme because the officer or non-commissioned member returns to duty under paragraph (6), the end date of the period of maternity leave granted shall be extended by the period that the maternity benefits are extended under the applicable law or scheme. (20 July 2006)
(8.) (Limitation) A period of maternity leave extended under paragraphs (5) or (7) shall not end later than 52 weeks after the date of the end of the pregnancy.
The article leaves more questions than answers, and almost anyone in the CF can quickly see there is simply not enough fact there to make any reasonable guess at what actually happened (Did the mbr griev the decision to her CO in writing IAW QR & O Vol 1, Chap 7? When was the original end date of the Cl B? Was it CL B or B annotated A? Was her position one of the ones cut with many other Cl B's that were/are supposed to be not renewed with the change of the PRes post-report from LGen (retired) Leslie and regardless of the pregnancy, her CL B was to be not renewed regardless? ) Thats just a start of questions IMO.
Regardless, I am sure any story comments will be filled with the usual abundance of comments from the uninformed, anti Harper, armchair experts calling for the resignation of the MND, CDS and PM :
:2c:
