A person taking leave without pay or a sabbatical year who can resume working pursuant to the working conditions that apply to him or her and who does not do so without serious cause may receive assistance in the form of the wage supplement that he or she would have received had he or she resumed work. If there is no deficit, the application is denied or the file is cancelled.
The serious causes that may be given for not resuming employment are similar to those that may justify refusing or leaving employment, given the circumstances. One serious cause may be being forced to take leave without pay:
- because of illness or pregnancy if the client does not have such leave paid by the employer;
- to care for a child or close relative;
- to accompany a spouse or dependent child to another place of residence.
The client should first exhaust his or her employment insurance benefits, if applicable.