Maternity Leave Ontario 18 Months Calculator

Ontario's maternity leave policy provides eligible employees with up to 18 months of paid leave to care for a new child. This calculator helps you determine your entitlement based on your employment status and pay rate.

Overview

Ontario's maternity leave program is designed to support new parents while they care for their newborn. The program offers:

Up to 18 months of paid leave
Continuation of group health benefits
Protection against job loss during leave
Flexible return-to-work options

The program applies to most employees in Ontario, with some exceptions for certain industries and employment types.

How Maternity Leave Works in Ontario

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Ontario's maternity leave, you must:

Be employed by an Ontario employer
Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months
Have worked at least 1,560 hours in the 12 months before the expected due date
Be expecting a child or have recently given birth

Leave Duration

The standard maternity leave period is 18 months, divided into two parts:

First 6 months: Full pay at 100% of your regular earnings
Next 12 months: Reduced pay at 55% of your regular earnings

Pay Calculation

Your maternity leave pay is calculated based on your regular earnings and the number of hours you worked in the 12 months before the expected due date.

Formula for Regular Earnings

Regular earnings = (Total wages in last 12 months) / (Number of hours worked in last 12 months)

Benefits Continuation

During your maternity leave, your employer must continue your group health benefits and protect you from job loss.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Full-Time Employee

Jane works full-time (35 hours/week) and earns $50,000/year. Her regular earnings are:

Regular earnings = $50,000 / (35 hours/week × 52 weeks) = $50,000 / 1,820 hours ≈ $27.47/hour

During her first 6 months of leave, she receives:

First 6 months pay = 35 hours/week × 26 weeks × $27.47 ≈ $2,596/week

During the next 12 months, she receives 55% of her regular earnings:

Next 12 months pay = 35 hours/week × 52 weeks × ($27.47 × 0.55) ≈ $1,448/week

Example 2: Part-Time Employee

Mark works part-time (20 hours/week) and earns $25,000/year. His regular earnings are:

Regular earnings = $25,000 / (20 hours/week × 52 weeks) = $25,000 / 1,040 hours ≈ $24.04/hour

During his first 6 months of leave, he receives:

First 6 months pay = 20 hours/week × 26 weeks × $24.04 ≈ $1,249/week

During the next 12 months, he receives 55% of his regular earnings:

Next 12 months pay = 20 hours/week × 52 weeks × ($24.04 × 0.55) ≈ $624/week

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Ontario maternity leave?

You should contact your human resources department or employment standards office at least 14 days before your expected due date to apply for maternity leave.

Can I work part-time during my maternity leave?

Yes, you can return to work part-time during your maternity leave, but your employer must continue your group health benefits and protect you from job loss.

What happens if I need to extend my maternity leave?

You can apply to extend your maternity leave if you need additional time to care for your child. Your employer must approve the extension.

Is maternity leave taxable?

Yes, maternity leave pay is taxable income. Your employer will withhold income tax and other deductions from your pay.