FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
1) I am working less than 50% in the division. Can I still qualify for Disability Benefits (formerly known as Long Term Disability)?
2) Can both my wife and I take 10 weeks' parental leave?
3) Can I change my Life Insurance?
4) Can my assignment be changed from what I was offered?
5) What is the greatest source of legal trouble for teachers in Manitoba?
6) I would like to announce my retirement now. What if I get really sick in June and need to go on Disability Benefits? Can I still do that?
7) I am willing to take another term position even though I have already taught two full years as a term teacher in the division. Why can't I, continue teaching if I am agreeable to remaining on term?
8) When do I have to give notice of my Resignation?
9) We just had a baby. How long do I have to sign her to our group benefits so that she is covered too?
10) What if I get a better offer after I have verbally accepted a job?
11) What is the greatest source of misconduct among teachers in Manitoba?
12) What about providing criminal record and child abuse registry checks with my application for employment?
13) Can an EA be required to supervise a class while the teacher is out of the class attending an IEP meeting?
14) Can I be forced to resign?
I am working less than 50% in the division. Can I still qualify for Disability Benefits (formerly known as Long Term Disability)?
Yes you can.
All members who work 30% and over AND longer than 40 days qualify for Disability Benefits.
It is important to note that the period of disability is pensionable.
Yes you can.
All members who work 30% and over AND longer than 40 days qualify for Disability Benefits.
It is important to note that the period of disability is pensionable.
Can both my wife and I take 10 weeks' parental leave?
The Employment Standards Code allows for 37 weeks of parental leave in total, 35 weeks of which are paid by Employment Insurance. Under our collective agreement, a parent may also receive 10 weeks' topup to 90% of salary. If both you and your wife have this benefit, you can each receive the 10 weeks' topup, but your wife can now only receive an additional 15 weeks of parental leave, paid only by EI. (35 weeks 10 weeks (wife) 10 weeks (husband) = 15 weeks EI)
The Employment Standards Code allows for 37 weeks of parental leave in total, 35 weeks of which are paid by Employment Insurance. Under our collective agreement, a parent may also receive 10 weeks' topup to 90% of salary. If both you and your wife have this benefit, you can each receive the 10 weeks' topup, but your wife can now only receive an additional 15 weeks of parental leave, paid only by EI. (35 weeks 10 weeks (wife) 10 weeks (husband) = 15 weeks EI)
Can I change my Life Insurance?
A window of opportunity opens from time to time during which you can make changes to your life insurance policy.
This includes when you have a 'life changing event" such as marriage, divorce, birth of child etc.
There may also be an opportunity to change your coverage when a "general window of importunity' opens up.
Notices of such opportunities are normally sent to all employees.
A window of opportunity opens from time to time during which you can make changes to your life insurance policy.
This includes when you have a 'life changing event" such as marriage, divorce, birth of child etc.
There may also be an opportunity to change your coverage when a "general window of importunity' opens up.
Notices of such opportunities are normally sent to all employees.
Can my assignment be changed from what I was offered?
The needs of a school or division can change in the time between when you sign your contract and the beginning of a new school year.
Your contract is with the Division and so you can be assigned to any school in that Division.
Your teaching assignment should take into consideration your training and background, but your assignment may differ from what was discussed at the time of signing.
The needs of a school or division can change in the time between when you sign your contract and the beginning of a new school year.
Your contract is with the Division and so you can be assigned to any school in that Division.
Your teaching assignment should take into consideration your training and background, but your assignment may differ from what was discussed at the time of signing.
What is the greatest source of legal trouble for teachers in Manitoba?
According to one of the legal counsels to the Manitoba Teachers' Society, most of the cases dealt with have roots in comments that the teacher made in the staffroom.
We would be well cautioned that the staffroom is NOT to be a place where teachers can complain or vent about students, parents, administration, et al. Bringing negativism to the staffroom drains our positive energies that we could otherwise use with our students. Rather, the staffroom should be a place where we can build relationships with each other, hopefully with humour and light banter.
According to one of the legal counsels to the Manitoba Teachers' Society, most of the cases dealt with have roots in comments that the teacher made in the staffroom.
We would be well cautioned that the staffroom is NOT to be a place where teachers can complain or vent about students, parents, administration, et al. Bringing negativism to the staffroom drains our positive energies that we could otherwise use with our students. Rather, the staffroom should be a place where we can build relationships with each other, hopefully with humour and light banter.
I would like to announce my retirement now. What if I get really sick in June and need to go on Disability Benefits? Can I still do that?
Yes. First of all, any active teacher can receive Disability Benefits until 60/30 is reached: that is 60 years of age and 30 years of service.
The first qualifier is the age. If that has not been reached, the benefits can continue. If you are 60, with 24 years of service, you can continue to receive benefits for 6 more years.
If you announce early retirement and get sick in June, you can rescind your retirement and go onto the Disability Plan until the combination of 60/30 is reached.
You will still be replaced, and you cannot access any sick days past June 30. You will also have to wait until day 80 of your disability before you can receive any Disability Benefits.
Before submitting your retirement letter, contact Glen Anderson at MTS for advice.
Yes. First of all, any active teacher can receive Disability Benefits until 60/30 is reached: that is 60 years of age and 30 years of service.
The first qualifier is the age. If that has not been reached, the benefits can continue. If you are 60, with 24 years of service, you can continue to receive benefits for 6 more years.
If you announce early retirement and get sick in June, you can rescind your retirement and go onto the Disability Plan until the combination of 60/30 is reached.
You will still be replaced, and you cannot access any sick days past June 30. You will also have to wait until day 80 of your disability before you can receive any Disability Benefits.
Before submitting your retirement letter, contact Glen Anderson at MTS for advice.
I am willing to take another term position even though I have already taught two full years as a term teacher in the division. Why can't I, continue teaching if I am agreeable to remaining on term?
Before December 7, 2004, teachers were sometimes kept in limited contracts for years, while other teachers were quickly given permanent positions. On December 7, 2004 the Minister of Education issued Regulation 218/2004 to the Public Schools Act which outlined the form of agreement between teachers and the school division.
If a teacher has taught for two consecutive full years for a school board under a Limited Term Teacher - General Contract, and accepts employment as a teacher with that school board for a third consecutive year, the school board must sign the teacher to a permanent contract (Teacher - General Contract).
Before December 7, 2004, teachers were sometimes kept in limited contracts for years, while other teachers were quickly given permanent positions. On December 7, 2004 the Minister of Education issued Regulation 218/2004 to the Public Schools Act which outlined the form of agreement between teachers and the school division.
If a teacher has taught for two consecutive full years for a school board under a Limited Term Teacher - General Contract, and accepts employment as a teacher with that school board for a third consecutive year, the school board must sign the teacher to a permanent contract (Teacher - General Contract).
When do I have to give notice of my Resignation?
If you would like to retire/resign at the end of the calendar year (December 31st) you must give your notice no later than November 30th. If you would like to retire/resign at the end of the school year (June 30th) it depends on when you were hired: If you were hired prior to December 2004, you must give your notice no later than May 31st. If you were hired after December 2004, you must give your notice lo later than April 30th.
You are under no obligation to give notice any earlier. However earlier notice, when appropriate and possible, may help all those involved in planning a smoother transition.
If you would like to retire/resign at the end of the calendar year (December 31st) you must give your notice no later than November 30th. If you would like to retire/resign at the end of the school year (June 30th) it depends on when you were hired: If you were hired prior to December 2004, you must give your notice no later than May 31st. If you were hired after December 2004, you must give your notice lo later than April 30th.
You are under no obligation to give notice any earlier. However earlier notice, when appropriate and possible, may help all those involved in planning a smoother transition.
We just had a baby. How long do I have to sign her to our group benefits so that she is covered too?
You have 90 days from the date of the life event (marriage, baby, death, divorce, etc) to update your employee benefits such as Extended Health, Group Life and Dental.
If you change your Dental plan after 90 days, coverage begins from the date of application, but coverage is limited to $250.00 in the first year.
You have 90 days from the date of the life event (marriage, baby, death, divorce, etc) to update your employee benefits such as Extended Health, Group Life and Dental.
If you change your Dental plan after 90 days, coverage begins from the date of application, but coverage is limited to $250.00 in the first year.
What if I get a better offer after I have verbally accepted a job?
When you verbally accept a job offer, you have entered into a contract with the employer. A verbal acceptance of a teaching position is binding on you, just as a job offer is binding on the employer. You have the option of approaching the employer and asking to be released from your agreement, as an employer may be willing to accommodate such a request provided there is sufficient time and availability for you to be replaced.
When you verbally accept a job offer, you have entered into a contract with the employer. A verbal acceptance of a teaching position is binding on you, just as a job offer is binding on the employer. You have the option of approaching the employer and asking to be released from your agreement, as an employer may be willing to accommodate such a request provided there is sufficient time and availability for you to be replaced.
What is the greatest source of misconduct among teachers in Manitoba?
According to the Manitoba Teachers' Society, the greatest breach of the Code of Conduct occurs with #7: A member does not bypass immediate authority to reach higher authority without first exhausting the proper channels of communication.
According to the Manitoba Teachers' Society, the greatest breach of the Code of Conduct occurs with #7: A member does not bypass immediate authority to reach higher authority without first exhausting the proper channels of communication.
What about providing criminal record and child abuse registry checks with my application for employment?
Criminal Records and Child Abuse Registry checks provide prospective employers with information about your gender, age and marital status to which they are not entitled in the selection process according to Manitoba Human Rights legislation. These documents should be requested from you at the time a job offer is made but not before.
Criminal Records and Child Abuse Registry checks provide prospective employers with information about your gender, age and marital status to which they are not entitled in the selection process according to Manitoba Human Rights legislation. These documents should be requested from you at the time a job offer is made but not before.
Can an EA be required to supervise a class while the teacher is out of the class attending an IEP meeting?
Yes. An EA may be asked to supervise a class and/or to review material previously taught by the teacher, but he/she cannot be asked to introduce new material to the class.
Yes. An EA may be asked to supervise a class and/or to review material previously taught by the teacher, but he/she cannot be asked to introduce new material to the class.
Can I be forced to resign?
A teacher should never resign under pressure. In a legal sense, a resignation is a voluntary act. Once a teacher resigns, all rights under the agreement are forfeited. Where a board (or superintendent or principal) demands, requests or advises a resignation, the teacher should consider the matter carefully before complying. Before making any decision in response to the request, demand or advice to resign, the teacher should contact The Manitoba Teachers' Society for consultation and advice.
A teacher should never resign under pressure. In a legal sense, a resignation is a voluntary act. Once a teacher resigns, all rights under the agreement are forfeited. Where a board (or superintendent or principal) demands, requests or advises a resignation, the teacher should consider the matter carefully before complying. Before making any decision in response to the request, demand or advice to resign, the teacher should contact The Manitoba Teachers' Society for consultation and advice.