Refreshment leave
Refreshment leave is a period of unpaid time off that allows principals and teachers to take a break and return to their role feeling rejuvenated. Learn more about refreshment leave.
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Further information on refreshment leave can be found in a staff member’s employment agreement, the terms of which must be adhered to.
Principals: primary, secondary and area school
If you’ve reached the professional standards that apply to your length of service as a principal, you can take unpaid refreshment leave of:
- One school term after three years of working at your school, or
- One school year after five years of working at your school.
After you’ve taken refreshment leave you’ll need to work at the school for another three or five years respectively before you can apply for more refreshment leave.
You’ll only be able to take refreshment leave if your school is able to find a suitable relief principal to fill in for you while you’re on leave.
Your employment agreement
Refreshment leave entitlements for principals are set out in the collective agreements as follows:
Clause 7.11 – Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement
Clause 5.6 – Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement
Clause 5.7 – Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement
Area school principals should refer to clause 5.7 of the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement.
Teachers: primary, secondary and area school
If you’re a full-time teacher (or at least 0.8 of full-time equivalent) and have reached the experienced teacher professional standards, you can take unpaid refreshment leave of:
- One school term after three years of working at your school, or
- One school year after five years of working at your school.
You’ll only be able to take refreshment leave if your school is able to find a suitable relief teacher to fill in for you while you’re on leave.
After you’ve taken refreshment leave you’ll need to work at the school for another three or five years respectively before you can apply for more refreshment leave.
Your employment agreement
Refreshment leave entitlements for teachers, including the maximum number of teachers who can be on refreshment leave from a school at any one time, are set out in the collective agreements as follows:
Clause 4.9 – Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement
Clause 6.7 – Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement
Clause 5.7 – Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement
How to apply for refreshment leave
To apply for refreshment leave, write to your school board explaining why you want to take leave and the time period you’re requesting.
Your board can approve or decline your request; they don’t have to apply to the Ministry of Education.
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