Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Leave of Absence Policy (EN)
Leave of Absence Policy (EN)
Purpose
This policy confirms the various leaves of absences available to qualified Wal-Mart Canada Corp. Associates. Where appropriate,
this policy will reference additional related policies and/or standards for leave specific information.
Scope
Walmart Canada leaves of absence can be broadly grouped into three categories: personal leaves, statutory leaves and medical
leaves. Within these groups, leaves can be further categorized as paid or unpaid depending on the type of leave, the applicable
legislative requirements, and Walmart culture and philosophy.
Some specific leaves of absence have their own standard which can be found on the WIRE. If an Associate needs to take one
of these leaves, the individual standard should be consulted:
In addition to the Leave of Absence policy please read the attached Leave of Absence FAQ to have a full understanding of this
policy.
FAQ
From time to time, Associates may seek to be excused from their duties at work for a temporary period. If the circumstances for
the absence are not covered by applicable employment or labour standards legislation, or another specific Walmart Canada
policy or standard, Associates may request a personal leave of absence.
NOTE: For requests for a leave of absence for personal medical reasons, please see the section below, entitled “Medical Leaves
of Absence”.
To request a personal leave of absence, an Associate must complete the Request for Leave of Absence form and submit it to
his/her manager for approval. The Associate’s manager will review the request and will consider a variety of factors, including,
but not limited to, the reason for the request, the timing of the request, the impact on the business and the Associate’s performance
before deciding whether to approve or decline the request. Managers have the discretion to request reasonable supporting
documentation in order to validate the leave request.
Return to Work
An Associate must provide at least three weeks’ advance notice of his/her return to work, unless the Associate and Walmart
Canada agree otherwise. Upon conclusion of a personal leave of absence, the Associate’s manager, in consultation with the
People Division, will return the Associate to his/her previous position or to another suitable position.
For the purposes of this policy, statutory leaves of absence are those leaves of absence set out in applicable employment or labour
standards legislation. Examples of statutory leaves of absence include maternity/pregnancy leave and parental leave. A list of the
statutory leaves of absence available in each province can be found in Appendix “A” to this policy and further details can be
obtained from the People Division. Appendix_A
Date of Issue: June 21, 2018 Revision Date: June 21, 2018
NOTE: While statutory leaves of absence are generally unpaid, Associates may be eligible for federal Employment Insurance
(EI) benefits or other similar provincial benefits in relation to certain specific leaves. Associates should contact the People Division
for further information, including information on how to apply for such benefits. Details regarding EI benefits can also be reviewed
online at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
To request a statutory leave of absence, an Associate must complete the Request for Leave of Absence form and submit it to
his/her manager for approval. An Associate may be required to provide supporting documentation in order to validate the leave
request, in accordance with applicable legislation.
Return to Work
An Associate must provide at least such notice as is required under applicable legislation before returning to work following a
statutory leave of absence. An Associate will be entitled to reinstatement in accordance with applicable legislation.
A medical leave of absence is available for Associates who require time away from work to deal with personal injury or illness. If
the illness or injury is occupational, the absence will generally be governed by applicable workers’ compensation legislation.
If the illness or injury is non-occupational, the absence will generally be governed by one or more of the following policies and
standards, each of which is available on the WIRE:
The following policies and standards (available on the WIRE) may apply to Associates returning to work from a leave of absence:
Accommodation Standard
Early and Safe Return to Work Standard
Date of Issue: June 21, 2018 Revision Date: June 21, 2018
If an associate begins a leave of absence prior to reaching the employment benefits coverage eligibility date, he/she will become
eligible for benefit coverage after satisfying the waiting period, if any, but coverage will not commence until the
associate has returned to work (exception: associates on a statutory leave of absence will have their coverage commence on the
stated eligibility date), subject to plan terms.
If an Associate wishes to stop receiving employment benefit coverage during a leave of absence, he/she should complete the
Request to Terminate Benefits while on LOA form.
Discount Card
An Associate on an approved leave of absence may continue to use his/her discount card.
Illness Protection
Time spent on a leave of absence is not service time for purposes of Illness Protection time accrual. That is, Associates do not
collect Illness Protection time during a leave of absence.
Incentive Plan
Time spent on a leave of absence may not count for the purpose of determining an Associate’s entitlement to an incentive plan
payment under the Walmart Canada Incentive Plan applicable to the Associate.
Stock Purchase
An Associate may continue to participate in Walmart Canada’s Stock Purchase Plan during an approved leave of absence, but
Walmart Canada will not make contributions during the leave of absence.
To ask a question about this policy or to report a suspected violation of this policy, please contact a member of
Management, your HR Business Partner, Compliance department, or Legal department.
You may also report suspected violations by contacting Walmart's Global Ethics Helpline.
Local toll free number: 1-800-963-8442(English) or 1-800-805-9121 (French)
Web: www.walmartethics.com or Email: ethics@wal-mart.com
Reports to the Ethics Helpline are always confidential, and if you choose, you may report your concern
anonymously.
You may also use the Compliance Hotline for questions: cacompliance@wal-mart.com
Date of Issue: June 21, 2018 Revision Date: June 21, 2018