All post-docs have access to a health and dental benefits plan through Greenshield Canada. You must enroll with Greenshield Insurance as soon as you start at U of T. Plans are prepaid by one month, so your coverage will come into effect the month after you begin your contract.

Unit 5 Benefits Booklet

Looking for more information? Have a look at the SGS page for Post Docs for an overview of practical information provided to post-docs at U of T.

Leave Under the Collective Agreement

Post-docs, who are members of Unit 5, have access to the following types of leave:

Pregnancy LeaveUp to 17 weeks
Parental LeaveUp to 35 weeks (37 for non-birth parent)
Sick Leave5 days per contract year
Bereavement Leave3 consecutive days (5 days if extensive travel required) per contract year
Compassionate LeaveOne week per contract year
Jury Duty Leave1 week
HolidaysStatutory holidays and Presidential Days
Vacation3 weeks per contract year

For more information about each type of leave, please visit UofT’s page on leaves and vacation or view the relevant pages from the Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

Development and Special Circumstances Fund (DSCF)

During the 2019-20 round of collective bargaining, the Employer and the Unit 5 Bargaining Committee agreed to establish an Development and Special Circumstances Fund (DSCF), in the amount of $25,000 per year to be held and administered by the Employer.  The memoranda establishing the fund and its administration can be found here.

The DSCF is intended to address (a) urgent and unanticipated special circumstances resulting in financial hardship for Unit 5 bargaining-unit members and their dependents and (b) professional development expenses that are not covered by the supervisors (e.g. expenses incurred for presentation of a poster at a conference, paying registration fee, etc.).

A joint committee comprised of an equal number of Employer and Union representatives have developed criteria and an application process for approval of claims and disbursement of funds.  The committee will meet as frequently as required and no less than once per quarter to review and approve applications.

Unit 5 members can find more information and apply here. You will need your UTORid to access the application.

Other Benefits

Post-doctoral fellows also have access to a number of other services and benefits at the University, including access to the Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP). To learn more about these other benefits, have a look at UofT’s Benefits page.