Covenant Health Collective Agreement 2024-2028

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #29

BETWEEN

COVENANT HEALTH

(hereinafter referred to as the Employer)

- and -

HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA

(hereinafter referred to as the Union)

RE: SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYEES UPGRADING EDUCATION

The Parties agree that supporting Employees while they are upgrading their education in their field is mutually beneficial to the Employer and the Employee.  Therefore, the parties agree to the following:

1. Employees, who have completed one (1) year of employment, may request an unpaid Leave of Absence (LOA) of up to twenty-four (24) months from their Regular position to fulfill the requirements of their education program.  The request for LOA shall include the name of the program, the institution where the program is being taken, and the expected duration of the LOA.  The Employee shall also indicate if they are willing to work as a Casual during the LOA.
2. The Employee shall provide at least twenty-eight (28) calendar days’ notice prior to the start of the LOA and the Employer shall respond to the request for LOA within fourteen (14) calendar days.
3. Requests for LOA under this Letter of Understanding shall not be unreasonably denied.  If the Employer denies the request, the response shall be provided in writing and rationale provided at the same time.  
4. Employees who agree to work as a Casual Employee during the course of their LOA shall not be required to work a minimum number of shifts to maintain their Employment in their Casual position. 
5. The Employee must provide thirty (30) days’ notice of their return to work from their LOA. The Employer will reinstate the Employee in the same position and classification held by them immediately prior to taking such leave or be provided with alternate work of a comparable nature.
6. Where an Employee cannot return to work as anticipated and approved, they should notify the Employer of their reason(s) as soon as possible.
7. Should an Employee on a LOA under this Letter of Understanding not return to work as anticipated and approved, and without sufficient reason, reinstatement in accordance with paragraph 5 of this Letter of Understanding does not apply.
8. This Letter of Understanding can be terminated with ninety (90) days’ notice by either party. When notice to terminate under this paragraph is served, Employees on an approved LOA will be permitted to finish their program as per the terms of this Letter of Understanding.

This Letter of Understanding will expire March 31, 2028, or upon the date of ratification of the next Collective Agreement, whichever is later.