How to Calculate Maternity Leave Pay Ontario

Maternity leave in Ontario provides eligible employees with paid time off to care for a new child. The amount of pay received depends on several factors including employment status, hours worked, and the length of leave. This guide explains how to calculate maternity leave pay in Ontario, including the formulas and key considerations.

How Maternity Leave Works in Ontario

Under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, eligible employees can take up to 18 weeks of maternity leave with full pay. The leave must be taken within 52 weeks of the expected due date of the child.

Key requirements for eligibility include:

Working at least 120 hours in the 52 weeks before the leave starts
Being employed by a business with 50 or more employees
Having a baby that is expected within 52 weeks of the leave start date

The employer must provide notice of the right to take maternity leave and must continue to pay the employee during the leave period.

Calculating Maternity Leave Pay

The amount of maternity leave pay an employee receives depends on their regular wages and the length of the leave. Here's how to calculate it:

Formula

Maternity Leave Pay = (Regular Weekly Wage × Number of Weeks on Leave) + (Regular Weekly Wage × 0.25 × Number of Weeks on Leave)

This formula accounts for both the regular pay and the additional 25% premium pay for the first 15 weeks of leave.

The calculation includes:

Regular weekly wage: The employee's average weekly earnings
Number of weeks on leave: Up to 18 weeks total
25% premium pay: Additional pay for the first 15 weeks of leave

For weeks 16-18, the employee receives only the regular weekly wage.

Note: The maximum amount of maternity leave pay is $1,200 per week for the first 15 weeks and $1,000 per week for weeks 16-18, regardless of the employee's regular wage.

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the maternity leave pay for an employee who earns $1,200 per week and takes 18 weeks of leave.

Leave Period	Weekly Pay	Number of Weeks	Total Pay
Weeks 1-15 (with premium)	$1,200 + 25% = $1,500	15	$22,500
Weeks 16-18 (regular pay)	$1,200	3	$3,600
Total			$26,100

In this example, the employee would receive a total of $26,100 in maternity leave pay over 18 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I take maternity leave in Ontario?: You can take up to 18 weeks of maternity leave in Ontario, which must be taken within 52 weeks of the expected due date of your child.
Do I have to use all my maternity leave at once?: No, you can take the leave in one continuous period or in separate periods, as long as it's all taken within the 52-week window.
What happens if I return to work before completing my 18 weeks?: If you return to work before completing 18 weeks, you may be eligible for partial pay for the weeks you didn't take, but this depends on your employment contract and the employer's policies.
Can I take maternity leave if I'm self-employed?: Self-employed individuals are not eligible for maternity leave benefits through Employment Standards, but they may qualify for other types of leave or benefits through their insurance or business arrangements.