General Information and Guidelines
As a full time or seasonal member of OPSEU’s Liquor Board Employees Division, you may be eligible for the Sick Credit Pool if:
- You have used all other credits, both attendance/sick and vacation; AND
- Have available sick credits in the pool.
Note: If you are on a leave longer than three weeks, you must have exhausted your Employment Insurance entitlement.
To apply, you need to complete the attached application and provide supporting documentation. The following must be submitted:
- The application form;
- Authorization form allowing LCBO to disclose personal attendance information to OPSEU;
- A statement from your doctor. This statement need not have your diagnosis; rather it is a statement that you are under the care of a doctor for a medical condition and the date your doctor anticipates you will be returning to work;
- A completed statement promising to pay back the sick credit pool when you return to work;
- Applicants may be required to submit further medical certificates and/or other data or releases required for review purposes.
Please review the application information and complete the application form in full. Return to the application, authorization/release form AND your doctor’s statement to the Sick Credit Pool Coordinator.
Once your application has been processed and approved, the Sick Credit Pool Coordinator will notify the LCBO to make payment. LCBO will make payment via direct deposit and will be made on the next pay date that is open for processing. Please note that due to LBCO processing timelines, you will receive the advance usually 2-4 weeks after the approval is submitted to LCBO for payment. In addition, the Sick Credit Pool Coordinator at OPSEU will send you an email (where available) advising of the approval. If email is not available, a letter will be sent to your home.
If your application is not approved or if more information is required you will be contacted.
Once you have returned to work, you will be required to repay the advanced amount. Repayment is made by deducting 5 days of your attendance credits per year until the full amount is repaid. For example, if you are normally awarded 15 attendance credits per year, while re-paying the sick credit pool, 5 will be directed toward the pool and the 10 remaining days will be available to you for use.
Summary of Rules
Leave of less than 3 weeks:
- Must use all attendance and vacation credits first.
- If more days are needed before returning to work, the Sick Credit Pool can grant the number of days needed to a maximum of ten (10) days.
Leave greater than 3 weeks:
- Must use all attendance and vacation credits first.
- Must have exhausted Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
- Once EI is exhausted (15 weeks) and if you still require more days before you are eligible for Long Term disability (LTIP), then the Sick Credit Pool can grant the number of days needed to a maximum of thirty-five (35) days total.
To be eligible you must be a bargaining unit member who full-time or seasonal employee entitled to Attendance Credits and have completed your probationary period. This includes seasonal workers who have attained 12 months of accumulated service
A member cannot borrow any more than 35 days total. For example, if you previously had been granted 35 days and had paid back 10 days to the pool, only 10 days will be available to be borrowed.
All other benefits including attendance and vacation credits must first be used. NOTE: For those who are off for 3 weeks or more you must first apply for and collect Employment Insurance (EI). Normally, there is a 1 week waiting period for Employment Insurance where you will not be paid, however, this waiting period can be waived if you have received sick leave pay; please inquire with the Employment Insurance office to see if this might be an option for you.
Applications can be submitted prior to the termination of all other credits but consideration will also be given to applications submitted after one returns to work.
Disqualification can result from a frivolous use of the sick credits or false statements on the application.
Credits from the pool cannot be advanced under the following circumstances:
- Disciplinary action (i.e. suspension without pay)
- Illness recovery programs, modified schedules due to work accommodation and/or work hardening programs.
The contribution of one (1) day by each new employee within the bargaining unit will take place one month after their appointment date.
Note: any false statements automatically disqualifies your application from consideration.
Coordinator Contact Information
Luc-Joel Ciza
Sick Credit Pool
Pension and Benefits Department, OPSEU
Please forward your application to one of the following:
Email: [email protected] and cc [email protected] and [email protected]
Fax: 905-712-3009
Mail: OPSEU
5757 Coopers Ave
Mississauga ON L4Z 1R9
Attn: Sick Credit Pool
For questions regarding the Sick Credit Pool, please contact Luc-Joel via email at [email protected] or by calling the OPSEU at 416-443-8888 or 1-800-268-7376 ext. 3562.