What are keeping in touch days?
Keeping in touch days are paid days an employee on unpaid parental leave can work to help ease their eventual return, without ending the leave.
Keeping in touch (KIT) days let an employee on unpaid parental leave perform paid work for their employer — such as training, a planning meeting, or refreshing skills — without that work bringing their parental leave to an end. They are a National Employment Standards feature designed to make the return to work smoother.
The work must be voluntary and agreed by both the employer and employee. An employee is entitled to up to 10 keeping in touch days during their period of unpaid parental leave, and they are paid for the time worked. Taking a KIT day does not extend the parental leave period.
Key facts
- •Keeping in touch days let an employee work paid days during unpaid parental leave without ending the leave
- •An employee can take up to 10 keeping in touch days during their parental leave period
- •The work must be voluntary and agreed by both employer and employee
- •Employees are paid for the time they work on a keeping in touch day
- •They are designed to ease the transition back to work and do not extend the leave
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Parental Leave CalculatorFrequently asked questions
How many keeping in touch days can I take?
You can take up to 10 keeping in touch days during a period of unpaid parental leave. The days are paid, voluntary, and must be agreed between you and your employer.
Will working a keeping in touch day end my parental leave?
No. Keeping in touch days are specifically designed so you can do some paid work without ending your unpaid parental leave or affecting your right to return.
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