Parental leave more flexible: Quebec will lead by example

Photo Stevens LeBlanc
The prime minister Couillard at the closing press of the caucus présessionnel of the QLP Thursday.

Charles Lecavalier

Thursday, 1 February, 2018 18:45

UPDATE
Thursday, 1 February 2018 18:54

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Philippe Couillard argues that the government is going to give the example with his proposed paid parental leave more flexible.

• ON THE SAME TOPIC: Quebec softens the parental insurance plan

“It would be absurd that the State, as employer, does not give the example,” said the prime minister on Thursday during the press briefing closing the caucus présessionnel of the QLP.

As reported The Journal, Mr. Couillard has announced a softening of the quebec parental insurance Plan (QPIP), which will allow families to stretch their weeks of leave over a period of two years with the agreement of the employer.

Mr. Couillard placed on the reconciliation of work and family to distinguish themselves in the pre-election period. Unlike the generation of the prime minister, “for which work, it was all” new parents don’t ” not want this model of life there.” “It is a change of social paradigm, it is a change of society, and it is a good thing, and it is necessary that one adapts to it,” he said.

Gradual return

This relaxation that does not increase the maximum number of leave days could allow, for example, for parents to interrupt their parental leave. Mr. Couillard also spoke of ” the possibility of a gradual return to work with a schedule to four days a week.” A bill shall, however, be adopted to make this proposal effective.

Employers are leery, but there are also benefits. “It is important to know the details. Small businesses do not have a human resources department, it may be impossible for a company of 10 employees, offering the four-day week, ” warns Martine Hébert, vice-president of the canadian Federation of independent business.

It is, however, of the benefits to companies that have “flows seasonal” and who could ask workers to come in and do a few weeks then go back on leave.

For the chair of the Conseil du patronat du Québec, Yves-Thomas Dorval, there was no “objection” formal. The benefits : it does not cost more expensive, and it is based on a mutual agreement, ” he says. The default : “it can create tension between the employer and the employee, it’s part of the challenges. It can create issues in relationships, the question is very real, ” he says. The refusal of the employer could create dissatisfaction, for example.

In contrast, the CSN is concerned about a worker forced to return to work sooner. “We must absolutely avoid that there are pressures on people to come to work, then they don’t want to,” says Véronique De Sève, vice-president of the CSN.