$MONEY$ Owed for Benefits – CUPW Vancouver

Over the past few weeks we have had several members call us about bills they have received when they have been off on a long term leave – whether on Maternity or a Leave without Pay.

Members who go off on Care and Nurturing leave, Education Leave, Spouse Relocation Leave, or any Leave without Pay (LWOP), will owe for the premium for these benefits that continue while you are on a leave without pay.

While it is true you can opt out of some benefits or cancel some, you cannot cancel all the benefits and you must pay this back when you come back to work. If you decide to not return to work, you will still owe this money to Canada Post. Further, if you fail to pay this bill it will be sent to a collection agency.

Overview of LWOP

Sick/ Disability Maternity and Parental Adoption	All benefits coverage is continued while on the following : LWOP, subject to the leave’s maximum allowable	Employee must pay back premiums upon returning to work via double deductions
Dental, Vision/Hearing and BC Medical coverage is cancelled while on any other type of LWOP	Mandatory plans such as basic life insurance and disability are continuous	Employee must pay back premiums for life and disability insurance upon return to work, via double deductions. You will pay both portions while on leave.
Extended Health Coverage Plan	All LWOP coverage is automatically continued, unless cancelled in writing. Corporation will send out a form for you to cancel the EHCP. If you fail to return it, you will be responsible for the premium	Employee must pay back premiums when returning to work via double deductions. You will pay both portions while on leave.
	If you quit and fail to return to work, you will owe the premiums for any health plans that you failed to cancel or could not cancel as they are mandatory. Also you will owe any money you received from the top up for Maternity/Adoption	Employee must pay back on a repayment schedule set by the Corporation or the bill will go to a collection agency

You should contact Access HR if you are unsure what the premiums will be, or whether you have cancelled any of your benefits if you are on long term LWOP.

Members have in the past used their right to take extended LWOP to explore new jobs or educational opportunities or just for some time with their family. This is a right under the Collective Agreement, but please understand that if you come back to work you will be double deducted for these benefits, and that if you fail to come back to work, you will be responsible for the moneys owed.

In the last month, we have had two members that have a total of $21,000 owing in premiums and top up for Maternity.

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